How Deep is Your Love

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Operation Nerves

Aliona kissed Iker softly as they walked into Madrid Beata María Ana de hospital; the couple had arrived for Iker’s operation on his fractured left hand, the blonde knew that her boyfriend was nervous about the surgery.

“Buenos DiazseñorCasillas,” the receptionist greeted as Aliona linked her fingers with Iker’s good hand; he looked at his girlfriend who gave him a small smile in comfort. The receptionist flashed him a flirtatious smile as she signed him into the hospital.

“You are on floor five señor Casillas… Dr. Miguel del Cerro is waiting for you,” the receptionist said as she batted her eyes as Iker but his attention stayed with Aliona.

The footballer nodded his head as he looked at the blonde, he didn't know what he would do without her if she wasn’t here to hold his hand and comfort him.

Aliona lead him to the elevator, she knew that he wouldn’t move unless she was with him; the blonde squeezed his hand knowing that this was worrying him.

“It’ll be okay… I’ve done this surgery before, there isn’t anything for you to worry about,” Aliona said making Iker nod as they stepped into the lift; he pulled his girlfriend close as the doors of the elevator closed behind them.

Iker took a deep breath as he looked at his girlfriend, he hated that he wouldn’t be home until the next day after his operation; but Carlos Diez had wanted him to recover in the hospital for the night before he returned home to Aliona and the twins.

Stepping out at Iker’s floor, the couple were greeted by Dr. Miguel del Cerro moved to greet them followed by Carlos Diez, who smiled at the pair before they showed Iker to his private hospital room.

“Okay the operation this afternoon will consist of realigning the fracture and joining the fragments that have been separated with two screws,” Dr. Miguel del Cerro said as he explained the operation to Iker, who nodded his head nervously while Aliona held his hand.

The blonde was dreading the moment that she would have to leave Iker and return to their home, the twins were currently with Iker’s parents who were looking after them while Aliona looked after Iker.

“Of course you know that you’ll be here for the night and tomorrow we’ll give you a check-up which will consist of a controlled x-ray then you’ll be able to return home,” Carlos Diez said making Iker nod his head as he took Aliona’s hand, it was clear that he wasn’t looking forward to being apart from Aliona but she couldn't stay with him in the hospital.

***

The blonde laughed softly as Iker flipped through the changes of the television before he sighed and turned it off; he looked at his girlfriend who was sat next to his hospital bed reading.

“I love you,” Iker said making Aliona smile as she took his hand, she knew that he was starting to get even more nervous; she kissed his lips, as she ran a hand through his hair.

“I love you too,” Aliona said as he kissed her lips as the doctor returned to take him down to surgery, Iker swallowed nervously as Aliona got to her feet and moved out of her way; a panicked look filled Iker’s face as he watched his girlfriend.

“It’ll be okay… I’ll see you as soon as you get out,” Aliona said as she kissed his lips as the anaesthesiologist entered the room so he could be knocked out for the surgery. The Spaniard licked his lips as he kissed his girlfriend again.

“In my holdall there is something for you… a black box,” Iker murmured as the anaesthesia started to take effect.

Aliona looked at him confused as she looked at her boyfriend wondering what he was talking about as he drifted off into a sleep before he was taken down the theatre; the blonde sat quietly for a moment before she moved to look in Iker’s holdall.

Aliona carefully opened it and found what she was looking for straight away, she licked her lips as she as she picked up the black box and moved to sit down; she opened it slowly before staring at the contents in shock.

***

Iker moaned softly as he slowly started to wake up from the anaesthesia, his left arm felt heavy and he knew that it had been wrapped in a secure cast; he swallowed heavily as he tried to clear the dryness from his throat.

“Iker,” murmured a voice as someone squeezed his right hand, he knew that voice and it took him a moment to realise that it was Aliona’s, he fought harder against the fog that seemed to stop him from answering her.

It took another few moments before he blinked his eyes open, they searched desperately for his girlfriend; Aliona smiled at him softly as he looked at her, his good hand brushed some hair from her face.

“How are you feeling?” Aliona asked softly as the nurse left the room after checking that he was okay, the Spaniard nodded his head as he rested his head back on the pillow and watched her for a moment.

“I feel better now that I’m back with you,” Iker said knowing that he would have to say goodbye to her when visiting hours were over; he cupped her face for a moment and his eyes searched hers.

“Did you find it?” he asked making Aliona swallow as she nodded her head, the Spaniard licked his lips nervously as his thumb rubbed against her face; he watched her for a moment as if waiting for an answer.

Aliona placed the black box onto the hospital bed, she watched Iker as he dropped his good hand down from her face to pick it up and open it; the blonde licked her lips as he opened it again to reveal the 18ct gold ruby and diamond engagement ring inside.

“I know that I should probably get down on one knee and be all romantic but since I just had surgery maybe you could cut me some slack on that front,” Iker joked softly making Aliona blink back tears as she nodded her head with a small smile, she watched as he took a tired breath.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately… you, the twins, our son, it all means the world to me and after all you have done for me all I want is to call you mine officially,” Iker said making Aliona swallow as his good hand moved to take the princess-cut quad diamond twist ring in 10K white gold from her left hand and placed it on her right before he swallowed.

“Will you do me the honour of marrying me?” Iker asked making Aliona blink back tears as he placed the 18ct gold ruby and diamond engagement ring on her left hand. The blonde stared at it for a moment before she nodded her head.

“Yes,” Aliona said making Iker grin as he stared at the blonde; he couldn't believe that she had said yes.

“Amor…” the Spaniard said as he sat up slightly making Aliona roll her eyes as she moved to sit on the bed so that he didn't injure himself; the Spaniard pulled her into a kiss, thrilled with the fact that she had agreed to marry him.

“I love you so much,” Iker said as he cupped her face and kissed her again, he didn't know what he would have done if she had said no.

“I love you too,” Aliona said as the nurse returned the blonde moved back off the bed; she bit her lip as Iker linked fingers with her, they both knew that this changed everything for them.