TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU

~Twenty-ninth Part~

I wake up in the sunny morning. Today is my day. My birthday.
My parents will visit me and I hope that Marc too. I look at Kate's bed and it's empty. Probably she went for a run. I decide to take a nap for a while, I embrace Jorge's teddy bear and when I almost fall asleep, the door opens and Kate and some classmates step in to the room and start with a birthday wake-up song. When they sang it, they all embrace me and wish me all the best.
Ten minutes later, Kate and I stay alone. She pushes a gift bag in my hand: "I wish you all the best, a lot of health, happiness, love and happy moments with your baby and the man of your life," she said and embraced me. "Thank you very much," I say with tears in my eyes. I pull two picture frames out of the bag. There's already a photo of me and her in one, the other is empty. "This is for the photo of you, your baby and his dad," she said and sat down to me. "Oh, it's a wonderful gift, thank you," I thank to her and embrace her again. "How are you feeling?" she asks. I shrug: "One year older." We both laugh when I continue: "I am so happy for seeing my parents today and I hope that Marc would visit me, too. If he's not too angry. You can't even imagine how terrible I feel, because I behaved so badly to him."
"He just surprised you. It's understandable that you responded like that."
"Ah, I don't know. I am afraid he won't forgive me."
"So, you have decided?"
I nod: "Yeah. I know him for my whole life. I love him since I was a little girl and I will love him for the rest of my life. I want to be with him, stand by him, love him, and travel the world with him. I want to share everything with him."
Kate happily applauds: "I wish you all the best. You deserve that and more."
"Slow down, Kate. He may be so angry that he won't like to see me again."
"You think?"
I shrug: "Everything is possible."
Kate hugs me.

During the day, my parents and my sister visit me and they invite me to a dinner.
"It was so nice to see your parents again after a long time. And Gloria. She's so beautiful," Kate said when we're getting ready for dinner.
"Yeah. Thank god, my sister bought me this pregnant dress. I don't know what should I wear otherwise," I laugh.
"Quickly dress it up. I am going to wash my hair," Kate said, running out of the room. I a little hesitate before I dress it, because I think it's pretty daring. It pass almost five minutes when I just step in and dress it. It's nice to emphasize my belly, enough wide hips and nice and tight ass. There is only a small problem with cleavage, because my big boobs overshadow all the rest that is perfect. I am looking myself in the mirror and it seems to me that the dress is too much calling for sex (I am going to dinner with my parents, my sister and my best friend), so I decide to dress something else. Just when I begin to undress it, Kate enters the room: "OMG! Sex appeal is spurting out of you!" she shouts with excitement. "Right?" I say and continue with undressing it. "What are you doing?" she quickly asked. "I am taking this off. I won't dress it for dinner with my parents. They will die of shame."
"Don't be ridiculous, Sara. Gloria bought you with this purpose to dress it for this opportunity."
"I understand, but I think it's a little too... sexy," I say after a short break. "That's the point. To show how sexy you are. Let these people see you, and let the guys fantasize what they would do with you..."
"It will be enough, Kate," I laugh and stop her blabbering. "Maybe you're right. I got a dress for a gift and it's right to dress it for this dinner."
"That's my girl," she happily says and dresses her dress. Its classic black and decent, while mine is noticeable red and... Yeah. It's my birthday and I have to be sexy.
At half past seven, we're ready when my dad pick us up. "You're so beautiful," he said when we sit in the car. "Thank you, Mr. Jonas," Kate thanked. "Don't you think my dress is too sexy for a dinner with my parents?" I ask him. "Who said that this dinner will be with your parents only? What if you're going somewhere else later?" he answer. "What do you mean with that?" I ask quickly when Kate cough up: "What a warm evening for October, right?"
"Yes, it's true, Kate. It's very nice," dad replies. They start to chat and completely ignore me.
We drive to the restaurant where we park and walk in. Mum and Gloria are already sitting at the table. "Wow, sister. You're a bomb," Gloria said and embraced me. "This is a compliment, isn't it?" I ask when everyone laughs. "Ladies, please sit down," dad said when we sat. "What about this two empty chairs?" I ask. "We have a surprise for you," mum said. I immediately think of Marc and Jorge. I drink a little water and I am impatiently wait for them to come.
Everyone are cheerfully chatting, while I can't join them in conversation. "The girl can be Anabelle. It's such a wonderful name," I hear mum. "No, she should be Polita. Sara, what do you say? Polita Marquez," my sister shakes my hand. I roll with my eyes: "My daughter will not have the same name as your hamster, who passes away ten years ago." Everyone laughs, when Gloria sips a glass of wine.
"Good evening," a familiar voice greets us, and my heart bounces immediately. I quickly turn around and see Jorge, dressed in a shirt with tie, elegant pants and a jacket. "Hi, nice of you to come," I say when I get up and hug him. "You're wonderful," he said, giving me a box. I open it and see a beautiful pearl necklace in it. "Happy birthday," he says and kisses me on my cheek. "It's beautiful. Thank you," I thanked. "Can I help you with it?" he asks me when I nod: "Yes, please."
"Wow, it perfectly fits to this dress," Gloria said. We both sit by the table. Where is Marc? I don't ask them, I just slightly look at the door and wait for him to come.
The waitress serves a soup, everyone talks carelessly, but Marc's still not here. When we finish with the soup, they serve us the main course. Gloria looks at the phone, types something and then puts the phone down to the table. "Sara, why don't you eat?" dad asks. "I am not that hungry," I replied and start eating salad. "Oh, finally," Gloria sighs, as I look at the door and see Alex. I jump up and run to him. "Sara!!" he shouts and hugs me. I cry. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked me and wiped my tears. "I missed you," I say and hug him again. "I missed you too. How beautiful you are. How's our little Hugo?" he asks and caresses my belly.
"Hugo?" I ask and the others at the table laugh. "A joke," Alex said and still caressing me. "He's okay. He's kicking from time to time and he tells us that he is barely waiting to get to know our crazy family."
"Oh, then he'll be a football player. So he can be Andres or Xavi," Alex thoughtfully says and scratches his chin. "Have you ever thought about women's names?" I laugh at him when he shakes his head. "Yeah, I thought that. Come on, dinner will be cold," I say and pull him to the table. "Hello, everyone. I apologize, I was at M... mechanics," he said and sat next to Jorge, who patted him on his back.
"Have you seen Marc?" I ask him. "Ehm, no. I haven't spoken to him for a long time," he answered and began to eat. "Basically, Sara. Marc should be here today, but he returns back to Spain," Jorge said. I feel how I turn pale. "I understand," I say quietly. "Oh, Sara! I am so sorry! Happy birthday!" Alex shouts, pulls out a card from his jacket pocket. "It's a little crinkly. It's from all of us," he said and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you," I say and look at it. A wonderful dedication was written and all four were signed. Roser, Julia, Alex and Marc. My Marc. I look into the envelope and there is a gift voucher for Spa. "Today?" I am surprised to see the date of validity. "Yes, after the dinner one of us will drive you there. Today is your birthday, so you have to enjoy it," Alex said. I smile: "Okay. Thanks again."
In the next hour and a half, we chat and having fun. "Gloria, Jonas, tomorrow morning we have a flight back to Barcelona," mum said, taking her purse and stands up. "Tomorrow morning?" I ask sadly and stand up too. "I have an appointment in the afternoon, which I can't postpone," dad said and hugs me. "Okay. Thanks for the visit and dinner. It was very nice," I said. "Take care of yourself, sweetheart. And to our little treasure," mum says now and kisses me on the cheek and then on the belly. "I will. See you soon. I hope to graduate in a month and return home," I say when I hug my sister. "Have a great time tonight," she whispers in my ear. "Alex, Kate, will you come with us?" dad asks. "Yes, please," Kate replied and she also hugged me: "See you later."
I hug Alex, then we walk to our cars. 

"Well, we're here," Jorge said as he stopped the car in front of the entrance. "Thanks for the ride and thank you for the gift," I smiled. "It was a pleasure. How do you feel?"
"Little tired. Even the little baby is tired," I answer and caress my belly. Jorge takes my hand and kiss it. "Jorge..." I start when he looked me. "I thought and I decided. My heart, my soul, my head and my minds... my body... I... I belong to Marc. I endlessly love him and I want to be with him. I love you too, but..." my voice shake. "Don't worry. I knew you'd make that decision. And that's right," he said quietly. "Yes, but I don't know what he feels. He doesn't come today. I am sure he doesn't want to see me again."
"Everything will be all right, Sara. Trust me. Marc... he only needs a little time."
I nod. "Can I ask you something?" he said. "Yes, of course," I reply and wait for what he will say. "That your friend... Kate, right? Does she have a boyfriend?" My eyes almost fall out when I laugh: "No, she's single. You like her?"
"Look... she seems nice. For now, I don't want anything serious. I'd like to invite her to a coffee," he said and shyly looked out the window. "Give me your phone, I'll write you her number," I say, when he gives me his phone. "Here. There are two numbers. The first one is hers and the second one is from the school's office. She'll get her phone back in the end of semester," I explain to him when he nods: "Understand. Thank you," he says and looks at the clock: "It's time to go," he said as he stepped out of the car and hurried to my side and opened the passenger's door. "Thanks," I thanked when I step out. "Have a great time. Thank you for the number. If you need anything, call me," he said and hugged me. "Thank you. See you soon."
"Of course. Take care of the baby," he said, caressing belly.
I wait for him to sit back in the car and drive away. I wave him in goodbye, then I take a deep breath and step to the reception. "Hello, do you have a reservation?" a nice, young man welcomes me. "Good evening, just a moment," I said and take the envelope with a gift voucher from the bag and give it to him. "Miss Marquez, then. Here you have the key to a special room where everything is ready for you. If you need anything, call us from the room," he says kindly. "Thank you very much, you're very kind," I smile to him and take the key with the number.
"9th floor, room number 3. Have a nice evening," he adds when I walk to the elevator. I step in and press the number 9. I yawn widely when my baby again begin with acrobatics. "What's wrong, honey? It's being late, right? At this time, we usually have a rest," I say and caress my belly. The elevator finally stops on the right floor, so I quickly step out and walk down the hallway to room number 3. I wait for a while, before I unlock the door. Then I open it and get in, when I stop with eyes wide open.
"Wow, baby. It's so beautiful prepared for us," I say when I get to my breath. There were candles, the bed is lined with red silk sheets and sprinkled with white roses. In the middle of the room is a Jacuzzi and there is a full bowl of fresh fruit, pastries and strawberry juice with cream. At the window are balloons. I look around the room and I see the envelope on the nightstand. I put the purse on the armchair by the window and walk down to the bed. I take the envelope in my hand and take the paper from it. I read it out loud:

Dear Sara,
on your 24th birthday, I want you all that you want yourself.
I am grateful to our family and friends that they helped me organize this surprise.
I didn't come to dinner because I had more important job - to prepare all of that.
I know you will forgive me tonight.
All the mistakes I've made, all the actions that hurts you.
You wrote me the letter when you left. I write to you today, because I hope that you are returning again. To me. In my hug. In my - OUR life. The life we will live with the baby.
I am not best with words, so I want to show you how much I love you with actions.

I wish you a happy birthday and I hope you will spend a wonderful night.

Marc

When I read the last sentence, he joined me. I turn around and see him. He is wearing a shirt with a bow tie, pants and a jacket. He holds a red rose in his hands and smiles at me. "I can't believe it," I say with tears in my eyes. "Don't you?" he asks as he walks to me. "Gloria was right. You're so hot in this dress," he whispers in my ear when he leans to me. I get goose bumps and my heart beats faster. I bite my lip when he gives me the rose: "Happy birthday," he said and kissed me on the forehead. "Thank you," I whisper. Then he stepped away from me, took off his jacket and folded his sleeves. "W-we need to talk," I stutter and now I walk to him. "Are you sure you want to talk?" he asks. I nod: "You don't?"
"Maybe later. First of all, I would like to fu*k you in this damn hot dress."