Love's Requiem

The morning was a blur; I slept for the entire train ride again only this time on Jack because Alex was busy talking with Niko about something. Once we reached Zagreb that afternoon I only had enough time to change in to a pair of shorts and a plaid shirt just as Niko called to tell me he was waiting outside. Alex and the guys had already left for their dude’s day out, and Michi decided she needed to hang out with Kara and conspire against me for the wedding.

“Have fun in Zadar?” Niko chuckled as he hugged me once I got in his car.

“As much as can be expected.” I sighed. “What were you up to?”

“Cruised the islands with the family for a bit.”

“Well it’s good you saw them all before today.” I told him.

“Why is that?”

“Because at least you saw them one last time before I fucking kill you!” I exclaimed smacking him in the arm. “You had to open your big dumb mouth! Alex fired the Spanish fucking inquisition at me the second we got to Zadar!” I began ranting.

The entire ride and all the way through the stadium and to our seats I ranted and screamed at Niko in Croatian. What made it worse was I doubt he was even taking me seriously cause he a smirk on his face the whole time.

“Stop fucking smiling! I’m mad at you!” I exclaimed finally.

“Are you done now?” He asked as the game started.

“No!” I huffed folding my arms.

“He’s your husband, he has every right to know about his wife’s childhood. Especially when
she has a five inch scar down her left arm.”

“But Niko, you know I never want to talk about it.”

“But you should Isabella maybe if you talked about it you’d feel better about it.”

“You don’t understand, you were here you don’t know what it was like there at the time.”

“That’s not the point.” He told me as we watched the game.

“So my uncle gave me some things of my Deda’s.” I said a few minutes later.

“Such as?”

“His dog tags, and this lock box filled with letter’s he wrote me during the war.”

“Have you read any yet?” He asked as I shook my head no.

“My Aunt also gave me my baka’s necklace she wore when she got married for next week.”

“Some good came out of going back.”

“I still hate it there, Alex wanted me to take him to Obrovac and Benkovac where it happened.” I told him.

“He probably just wants to understand, I’m sure he had no clue where or what Croatia is until he met you.”

“I guess.” I sighed as we watched the game.

“You want a beer?” He asked me a few minutes later.

“No thanks, water’s fine.”

“This isn’t like you Isabella at all. You always drink when we go to games.”

“Like I told you before, I can’t drink with my new allergy medication.”

“It’s July, your allergies affect you in the spring I remember.” He pointed out.
I paused for a second and figured it’d be best to just tell him.

“I’m pregnant.” I explained, as I saw him go pale in shock.

“What?”

“Less than a month,” I lied. “I actually only found out right before we left for here.”

“Does anyone know?”

“Some friends but that’s it. Alex and I figured we’ll make it seem like I got pregnant on our honeymoon.”

“Congratulations.” He smiled finally, giving me a hug.

“I liked the minor teams more.” I said during the second half.

“Any particular reason?” Niko asked me.

“Look how aggressive they all play, this is the time in any player’s career where they take the game more seriously than anything else in their life. Once you get to the big leagues, its not the same.”

“I don’t know.” He chuckled.

“You and Luka were the same. Under 21 leagues, you both slaughtered. Once you guys went over to England now you’re a bunch of girls.” I teased.

“Thank you.” He said messing my hair up.

After the game we grabbed something to eat before we said our goodbyes and he left me off at my Baka’s.

“Have a safe flight back and send me pictures from next week.” Niko told me with a tight hug.

“Stay out of trouble, and don’t get hurt.” I warned him.

“I’ll try, tell Alex congratulations on the you know what.” He said giving me a final squeeze.

“I will, good bye Niko.” I smiled as I headed inside.

“Bye Isabella.” I heard him shout to me as I closed the door.

The guys were already back and in the yard having a beer and talking.

“How’s Niko, my darling?” My baka asked me while I was in the living room with her having tea.

“He’s doing good.” I told her.

“I’m happy you didn’t marry him.” She told me, causing me to choke on my tea.

“What’s that Baka?” I asked her.

“You would be miserable here, you belong in America. And I have a soft spot in my heart for Alex. Even if he isn’t Croatian.” She added making me laugh.

“When did you get back?” Alex asked walking inside.

“About a half hour ago, I didn’t want to mess with the meeting of the women hater’s club.” I told him making him laugh as he sat with me giving me a kiss. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He smiled giving me another. “Want to go out?” He asked.

“Where?”

“Anywhere.” He smiled.

“Okay.” I nodded, as we got up and said bye to my Baka and headed out just the two of us.