This Isn't My Idea of Love

Chapter Forty-Four: From Barcelona, With Love

Viola yawned as she climbed out of bed; she glanced at the empty side where Lionel should have been, she missed her husband even if he had been gone a week.

Running a hand through her hair, Viola moved over to Gabriela who was whimpering since it was time for her feeding; the brunette was wearing a pink cami and short set.

“It’s okay Gabriela, Madre is here,” Viola murmured as she cuddled her little girl as she moved to sit back down on the bed so that she could feed Gabriela; she sighed as she looked at the clock wondering when she would hear from Lionel again.

Viola knew that her husband was busy and even though he found time to speak with her and the children when he could, she couldn’t wait for Lionel to come home; she missed him and was worried that this distance would cause them more problems.

The brunette shook her head as she focused on her daughter, she didn't want to think about what could happen if she lost Lionel.

Even after coming back to Barcelona there were still small problems within their relationship and she hoped that now Gabriela was born that they could fix them.

“Madre and Padre love you very much Gabriela, no matter what happens you and Thiago will always have us,” Viola said softly as she continued to feed her daughter, she tried to ignore the feeling that she needed to breakdown and cry over the thought that she would one day lose Lionel.

***

“Buenas Mañanas,” Lionel said as he held his phone to his ear, he knew that it was still early in Barcelona, but he couldn't resist in calling his wife before he head to lunch with his team-mates.

The tournament wasn’t going as well as Lionel had expected and while Argentina had scraped through the group stage, he doubted that they would get very far in the tournament; he knew it was wrong but he hoped that they were knocked out in the next stage so that he could return home to his family.

“I miss you Lala, how are you?” Lionel asked as he ignored some of the teasing that was happening behind him, he knew that his team-mates thought that he was being sappy about calling his wife constantly but he missed her and the children.

“I miss you too Leo, I’m doing well,” Viola said making the footballer frown as he realised that something was bothering his wife; he hated that he wasn’t with her right now and wished that he could comfort her.

Lionel stepped out of the hotel restaurant and headed for the gardens so he could talk quietly with his wife over the phone.

“What is wrong amor?” Lionel asked softly as he sat down on the bench, he hated that he wasn’t there for her when she clearly needed him and he hoped that Viola was okay as well as Thiago and Gabriela.

“I’m worried Leo,” Viola admitted after a few moment silence, she hated to admit that there was something wrong and she felt horrible to put this sort of pressure on him while he was playing for his country. Lionel licked his lips concerned.

“Viola you can tell me anything,” the footballer said hoping that she would be able to tell him what was worrying her; he wanted nothing than to be there for her.

Viola sighed over the phone, Lionel knew that she didn't want to worry him while he was playing for Argentina but he wanted to know what Viola was thinking about.

“I’m worried about us,” Viola murmured as she admitted what had been bothering her, Lionel sighed as he ran a hand through his hair; the two of them had a lot to worry about when it came to their relationship.

“What if our marriage doesn’t work? We have two children Leo and I can’t bear the thought of losing you,” Viola whispered making Lionel sit quietly as his wife’s words hit him; he knew that after what had happened to them six months ago that they still had a lot to work on but he had thought that things were going well.

“You will never lose me Lala, I wish I was there to show you just how much I love you; I know we missed our first wedding anniversary and I was hoping that this year that maybe we could renew our vows,” Lionel said softly as he revealed his plans to his wife.

Viola was silent as she allowed her husband’s words to sink in, she hadn't thought that he would want to renew their vows this soon after their wedding but after what they had been through it did make sense.

“You want to renew our vows?” Viola said softly making Lionel smile as he listened to the awe in his wife’s voice, he wished that he could see her face at the news that he wanted them to renew their vows.

The footballer glanced around making sure that no one had heard his conversation, he didn't want anyone leaking his conversation to the media; he wanted to make sure that everything was kept private.

“I do, I love you Viola and I would do anything for you amor; you have no need to worry, you will always have me,” Lionel said as he looked at his wedding ring; he didn't know what he would ever do if he were to truly ever to lose his wife.

***

Running a hand through his hair, Lionel sighed as he prepared for the next match; he looked around the locker room before his mobile made a small noise signalling that he had a message.

Lionel couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face as he saw the message was from his wife and was entitled; from Barcelona, with love.

He ignored the curious looks from his team-mates as he opened the message to see what Viola had sent him; the footballer couldn't stop his smile from getting bigger at the sight of his eleven month old son, his two week old daughter and his wife all wearing his jersey.

“Messi are you ready?” Sergio Agüero asked as he looked at his captain and close friend; he didn't know what had boosted the Barca player’s mood but he knew that it had to be something related to his wife.

Lionel nodded his head as he continued to stare at the image on his phone, it had certainly cheered him up and he couldn't believe that Viola had done this for him.

“I’m more than ready Kun,” Lionel said as he vowed to make his family proud, he knew that Viola would be watching and that while she might not like the sport; she was doing this to support him.

Sticking his mobile in locker, Lionel took a deep breath hoping that whatever happened today would make Viola proud of him; he knew that she wouldn’t care if they didn't win, she would be proud of him no matter what happened.

“You okay Leo?” Sergio asked curiously wondering what had cheered his friend up, he knew that Lionel was missing his wife and he wondered what she could have sent him to make him this happy.

Lionel nodded his head as he pulled on his captain’s armband, he couldn't help but smile as he thought about the message that his wife had sent him.

“I’ve never been better,” the argentine replied as he nodded at his friend before heading for the tunnel, he didn't care what it took; he was going to score a goal for his wife.