effervescent | m. hummels & r. lewandowski

[ chapter thirteen ]

Mats had left me with a heavy heart and too much to think about in only a few hours. He had kissed me goodnight before going out the front door, not even sparing another glance at me.

What will I tell Robert, what will I tell Clara, what will I tell the world?

As in cue, my little daughter cane running into the room followed by Robert. It was next morning and I already had too much on my mind. While Robert was gradually trying to make our relationship better, we still had a lot to talk about. He couldn't possibly expect me to let go of all the abuse and sham he threw at me all these years now.

However his efforts could be seen. The way he helped me around hesitantly, offering me a hand with the household chores when he wasn't at practice, offering to take Clara and I out for dinner dates and even strolls through the park.

Effort was necessary, and it was there, but I still couldn't bring myself to give him a chance just like that.

"Hi baby," I picked up Clara in my arms just when Robert pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. This time, I didn't hesitate to kiss his cheek too, which, I think, took him by surprise, given the shocked expression he wore on his face.

"Good morning." He told me with a slight cough and I nodded at him. His hand went behind my back and rested there before he spoke again. "Don't make breakfast, Ara. I thought we could grab something to eat outside before going out."

"What do you mean going out?" Questioned Clara. Seeing me struggling to hold out little baby girl, he took her from my hands and kissed her cheek. "Don't you want a fun day out with your parents?" At that, her blue eyes widened and she shook her head frantically. I saw her kiss Robert's cheek and then mine.

I liked to see her happy, and I didn't realise how much I had missed seeing that genuine smile on her face.

"Well then, go get ready." Robert said and she jumped down to the floor, running to her room. He then turned to me, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. The small gesture sent butterflies flying in my stomach. All of a sudden my head felt dizzy.

I had completely forgotten the effect of this man's touch on me.

"I hope you can forgive me." Was all he whispered leaning close to my ear, before I could respond, in walked Clara holding her clothes in her hands, gesturing me to put her into it.

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Half an hour later, Robert was sitting in the car, dressed in blue jeans and a red flannel shirt I got for him last year. Clara and I made our way to the vehicle with matching outfits which made Robert pull down his aviators and hawk at us.

As soon as we were seated in the car, I curled my lips into a smile seeing that expression of Robert's face as he looked in between his daughter and his wife clad in the same outfit— a pink sundress with brown strapped sandals.

"My god. You girls are looking lovely." He whistled and I found myself giggling with our 4 year old. Robert speeded onto the road, his one hand had clutched tightly onto the steering wheel and the other played aimlessly with my hand on my exposed thigh.

I hate to admit, but the small action sent waves of pleasure in my body, it was like I was set on fire all at once and at the same time, not at all. "What do you want to eat?" He asked, looking at me and then in the back mirror to see Clara.

"I'm hungry." She responded with a pout.

"That's why daddy's asking you what do you want to eat, baby." I told her giving a glance from the mirror. As the banter in the car exceeded, Robert decided to shut both of us by ignoring Clara and I both and driving into a drive-thru of his own beloved place.

All of us had bagels, the only difference was that Clara had orange juice and both Robert and I decided on some coffee.

"Do you want to go to the museum?" He asked me, the smile that took over my face almost scared me, I couldn't not love this man again, that's what I told myself— however I had failed my words before and I was afraid it was going to happen again.
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"Isn't she a little heavy for a four year old?" Asked Robert, carrying out sleepy daughter to her room and the laying her on the bed. I let out a small chuckle before covering her body with a blanket and kissing her forehead, Robert did the same, kissing both her cheeks and caressing her face in his hands, with such love and affection, it almost knocked the air out of my lungs.

"Ara," he whispered my name the moment we entered our room. I turned to look at him only to see that he wore a sad expression, his eyes seemed raw and glossy, and I wondered if he had been crying.

"Yes?" I croaked. I think I already had a fair idea of where this conversation was headed and maybe, just maybe, I was ready to face it.

"I've been such a bad husband," He started and hesitantly grabbed my hand, stroking it like he would not be able to touch it after I pull it back. "I don't know, I don't know— what happened to me. I guess I got lost." He chuckles sadly, I find myself sitting on the floor next to him, listening to all he had to offer.

"It's very important I get it off my chest, you know." He says further. His hand reaches to caress my cheek making me close my eyes. "And today, I think I should tell you all. It's just some weeks ago that I started realising how much I have been missing out. How much time I had wasted which I could have spent with you and Clara. I used to watch my teammates leaving training early to get closer to their families and then there was me, giving extra hours to training so I wouldn't have to go home. I'm so sorry, Ara." And that was it, he started crying, right there in my arms.

Long chapter so I'm gonna divide it in two, stay tuned for more.🙌🏻