This Isn't My Idea of Love

Chapter Forty-Three: Thiago Met Gabriela

Lionel glared at the paparazzi as they tried to get a picture of him and Thiago, he knew that they weren’t going to let up and that there was little he could do to get them to stop until they got what they wanted.

“No Mama,” Thiago murmured as he cuddled into Lionel’s arms, the footballer sighed as he held his son close; he had been to collect him from his parents since Viola and Gabriela were now home safe.

“It’s okay,” Lionel murmured as he unlocked the front door to his home and stepped inside, the footballer had almost sighed in relief as he closed the door behind him; he loved playing football but it was times like this that he wished that he was normal for his family’s sake.

The little boy suddenly became excited when he spotted his mother, Lionel rolled his eyes knowing that his son was a mummy’s boy; he had been the same and he had no doubt that Gabriela would by a daddy’s girl.

“Mama,” Thiago said as he wiggled in his father’s arms as he tried to reach his mother; however Lionel kept hold of his son as he sat down next to Viola, who was holding Gabriela in her arms.

“Thiago, this is Gabriela, she’s your baby sister,” Lionel said as he showed his son the baby that Viola was holding; the little boy stared at the baby girl that his mother was holding. The two adults watched their two children; they were surprised that he was taking this so well.

“Bebê,” Thiago said making Lionel groan as he realised that his son had said a new word and it still wasn’t Papa.

Viola held back a smile as she watched her son for a moment before Gabriela opened her brown eyes; she looked up at her brother before he pressed a kiss to her head.

***

“I can’t believe he can say Mama, No and Bebê; but he still hasn’t said Papa,” Lionel said as he watched Viola settle Gabriela down in the Moses basket; the brunette laughed softly as she looked at her husband.

The footballer raised an eyebrow as he watched his wife; he knew that she was finding this amusing; she carefully covered Gabriela up before she moved to his side.

“He’ll say it one day,” Viola reassured Lionel as she kissed his lips as she sat down next to him on the couch, both of their children were asleep and the couple knew that they would only have until they woke up to relax.

“I know… I just thought that he’d say it sooner,” Lionel said as he wrapped his arm around Viola and held her close, he closed his eyes allowing himself to relax slightly knowing that when the children woke up they wouldn’t be able to rest again until they did.

The couple were quiet for a few moments before Viola looked up at Lionel, she knew that they were going to have to talk about what would happen when he went away for the world cup; she was a little surprised that he had managed to stay with her for as long as he had.

“When do you fly out for the world cup?” Viola asked as she watched him, she knew that he had been looking forward to playing for his country again but so far he hadn't trained with the team since February and time was running out before the competition started.

“Not for a week or two,” Lionel said making Viola look at him, she tilted her head confused wondering why he was pushing this out further; she had a feeling that this was because of Thiago and Gabriela.

“I’ve spoken with Sabella, he says he doesn’t mind if I miss a couple of the group stage matches to be with you and the children; he knows that I won’t walk away while you need me,” Lionel said making Viola shake her head as she smiled at him, she knew that he was being silly but she thought that it was sweet of him to do this for her.

Lionel brushed some hair from her face as he watched her closely, every day he was thankful that she had come back into his life and had taken him back after what he had done to her.

“You didn't have to do that,” Viola said as she leant forward and kissed his lips, she allowed him to hold her close for a moment before his phone rang; the brunette pecked his lips as she climbed off the couch and walked away from him.

Lionel watched her leave knowing that it was probably Sabella on the phone to confirm that he would be flying to join them soon.

The footballer looked over at the Moses basket where Gabriela was sleeping, Lionel couldn't bring himself to walk away from his family; he knew that it wasn’t fair on Viola to leave her with a newborn and their infant that were currently sleeping.

“Hola,” Lionel said as he ran a hand through his hair, he wanted nothing more than to spend more time with his wife and children; he licked his lips as he moved towards Gabriela to watch her sleep.

“Lionel, when will you be arriving for the tournament?” Alejandro Sabella asked making the footballer sigh as he watched his daughter; he didn't know what he was going to do if he had to leave so soon.

***

Viola watched her husband as she slowly helped him back for his trip to Brazil for the world cup; she knew that he wasn’t happy that he had been asked to come earlier than he had wanted.

“It’ll be okay, it’s only a couple of weeks,” Viola reassured him as she kissed his lips, she watched him as he held Gabriela in his arms; he nodded as he looked down at his daughter wondering how much he would miss while he was away playing football for his country.

“Besides, your parents are still here in Barcelona; they’ll be here to help,” Viola said as she tried to reassure him that she’d be able to handle having the two children while he was away.

She sighed as she ran a hand through her hair as she stopped what she was doing and moved towards him.

Lionel looked up at his wife as she ran a hand through his hair; she smiled down at him knowing that he wasn’t happy with the idea of leaving her behind.

“I will still be here when you get back,” Viola said making Lionel sigh as he shook his head, he knew that she was trying to comfort him with the fact that everything was okay; he kissed her softly as he tried to figure out what he was going to do.

“I was thinking that for your birthday, we could throw a party,” Viola said as she kissed him again, he looked at her curiously; he knew that his birthday was coming up as well as hers and Thiago’s.

“What are you thinking about?” Lionel asked as he kissed her, the brunette grinned as she pulled back from her husband and moved to collect their daughter from his arms; he rolled his eyes as he watched her.

Viola flashed him a smile, she knew that things between them had been a little unsettled and with Gabriela being born that they needed some sort of normality.

“I was thinking just a small party, family and close friends,” the brunette said, Lionel nodded his head as he watched his wife with their daughter.

He didn't know what he would have done if she had stayed in New York, he loved her more than anything and something told him that something was going to happen.