How Deep is Your Love

Chapter Twenty-Six: FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala

Aliona licked her lips nervously as Iker took her hand; the couple were attending the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zürich and she was a little nervous since this was would be the first event that the couple had attended together in the public eye.

“It’s okay,” Iker murmured as he rested a hand on her bump, Aliona was twenty weeks pregnant and Iker couldn't have been happier that it was progressing so well.

The custody battle was underway for Liam and Lola; Iker had made sure that he had every chance of being successful against Daniel who wasn’t going down without a fight; he had petitioned for full custody of the twins and it was clear that he was doing it to hurt Aliona.

The blonde was wearing a floral hem maxi dress paired with white heeled sandals, Iker thought that she looked beautiful and he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off of her.

The car that they were traveling to Kongresshaus in slowed down making Iker’s squeeze Aliona’s hand; he knew that she was nervous about tonight but he had promised her that it would be okay.

“This is it,” Aliona murmured making Iker flash her a smile, he pressed a small kiss to her lips before the car door opened and the couple were greeted by the screams of the fans and paparazzi.

Iker climbed out first waving to the fans before he turned to help his girlfriend from the car; the blonde flashed him a nervous smile as she took his hand.

Iker held his girlfriend close as they walked along the red carpet, he nodded at a couple of the press before they stepped into the building; Aliona let out a sigh of relief as she realised that the worst part was over.

***

“Aliona, I’m glad you made it,” Nagore said as she hugged the blonde while Xabi greeted Iker as they approached the couple; the brunette smiled at her friend, who she hadn’t seen much of over the last few weeks.

Iker rested a hand on his girlfriend’s lower back as he spotted Sara walking by with her new boyfriend, Iker felt sick as he realised that it was the man that he had caught her with.

Aliona wrapped an arm around his waist as if sensing his shock that Sara had brought Afron to the award show, it was like pouring salt into an open wound and she didn't seem to care.

“Ignore her,” Aliona murmured as she kissed his cheek, Nagore and Xabi smiled as they watched the couple, they were happy that Iker had someone like Aliona in his life now; she seemed to understand him better than anyone else could.

“Iker found you at last,” Gerard Pique said as he appeared from nowhere, he grinned as he looked at the Spanish captain; he had heard that Iker was bring his girlfriend and it had intrigued all of Iker’s national team-mates when they had heard that the Spaniard was with a blonde and was expecting his first child with her.

“Gerard, it’s nice to see you again,” Iker said nodding as he noticed that his national team-mate was looking at Aliona, who shifted nervously; she wasn’t used to being the centre of attention that she was here.

“Gerard, this is my girlfriend Aliona,” Iker said introducing him to the blonde, he rolled his eyes as the blue eyed Spaniard grinned at the blonde; he had a feeling that Xavi had been talking about Aliona.

Gerard watched the blonde for a moment before Xavi appeared and stopped him from scaring Aliona off.

“Come on Gerard… let’s get to our seats,” Xavi said as he flashed a smile to Iker as the ceremony began to start.

Aliona glanced at Iker, who shrugged as he lead her over to their seats so that she didn't have to stand all night; Cristiano and Irina flashed the couple a smile as they passed them and headed to their own seats.

Iker took Aliona’s hand as they were seated, he pressed a kiss to her lips as the ceremony started; he was grateful that she had been able to come with him, he didn't know how he would have dealt with seeing Sara and Afron together if she wasn’t with him.

***

Aliona smiled as she kissed Iker’s lips as he returned to her side after speaking with a couple of his national team-mates, he had defended his place in the FIFA Pro World XI as the goalkeeper.

“I’m proud of you,” Aliona said making the Spaniard grin as he kissed her lips and wrapped an arm around her waist as they prepared to leave; he couldn't wait to get back to their hotel so that they could rest before they returned to Madrid.

“I think the baby’s proud of you as well,” the blonde continued making Iker grin as they exited the Kongresshaus, he couldn't wait to meet his son; the couple had only told a couple of their close friends and family that they were expecting a boy.

“Iker is it true that you asked Aliona to marry you?” shouted a member of the press, the couple ignored them as they continued to walk to the car; they had been asked the same thing since Iker had given her the promise ring.

“Is it true that you are expecting a boy?” another member of the press shouted making Iker pause for a moment, Aliona closed her eyes; they had thought they were doing so well in keeping the media out of the personal lives but this made it clear that someone was telling the press.

Iker glanced at Aliona who nodded her head, she knew that they needed to put this to bed then they would have to hear about it for weeks.

“Yes we are expecting a boy and we would also like you to respect our wishes about privacy,” Iker said as he drew his girlfriend close, she flashed a smile before they started back towards the car.

“When I find out who is telling the press about us,” Iker muttered making Aliona glance at her boyfriend as they got into the car; the blonde knew that he wasn’t happy that someone close to them was talking to the press about their personal lives.

Iker took a deep breath as he looked at his girlfriend; he knew that his job made things difficult for them, he hated that the press knew so much about their private lives and were starting to affect Aliona’s work at the hospital.

“It’s okay Iker,” Aliona murmured as she moved closer to her boyfriend, she cuddled into his side; she knew that he was starting to feel the strain that the press were putting on them, it was becoming clear that he hated that they knew so much about her and the twins.

“But it’s not… they knew we were having a boy,” Iker snapped making Aliona look at him stunned, she hadn’t expected him to snap at her like that; Iker sighed as he ran a hand through his hair as he looked at his girlfriend.

“Sorry… I just don’t like that someone we trust is talking to the press about us and our life together,” Iker murmured making Aliona nod her head as she cuddled into Iker’s arms, he rested her head on hers; he didn't want this to drive her away, he couldn't lose her or their family.

“Don’t let this get to you Iker… whoever is doing this is jealous and wants nothing more than to hurt us,” Aliona said making her boyfriend nod his head sadly, he knew that he would never forgive whoever was doing this; they had betrayed his trust and he didn't know what he would do when he discovered who it was.