When Does the Pretending End?

Lucy’s Pov

As he pulled me into his arms I felt safe. After not seeing Tina and just needed someone to hold me. I can’t explain it. “Lucy what happened in London?” he asks. He tips my chin up “Did Josh do something?” he asks. “What no, why would you think that” I say pulling away from him. Why the fuck would he think that? “Sorry. Then what happened?” he asks. “Absolutely nothing. That’s the point. Tina refused to see me” I say. He pulls me to the bed and rubs my back sending tingles down my back. “Josh tried to get her to talk to me but she didn’t want to. They didn’t even talk that much. Josh was just happy to see her” I say. “Maybe the next time” he says. “I’m glad she spoke to Josh. I just wish she would speak to me” I say and I rest my head on his shoulder.

I wake during the night and see that it is 4.30. Cristiano has his arm around my waist and his chin is resting on my shoulder. I should pull away from him shouldn’t I. He said he had fun on his night out. I’m sure he did. Bet there were a bunch of girls wanting his attention. I’m sure he gave them his attention too. He’s single he can do what he likes I think as I close my eyes again placing my hand on his arm.

I wake again when Cristiano moves and find that it’s morning. “Hi” I say. “Hi” he says. “What time is it?” I ask. “After 9. Did you sleep?” he asks. I nod. I guess I did. I only had two dreams about Lacey last night.

I come out of the bathroom and he’s laying on face down on the bed. “Thanks for not mentioning the game yesterday. I might still keep talking to you” I say. “Remind me the next time I want you to stop talking to diss your team” he says. “Are you seriously going to wear that” he says. “Yes. Just because they lost doesn’t mean I won’t support them. Plus Elma thought it would annoy Jorge and Zé if I wore it” say as he watches me standing by the door in my Liverpool jersey. “I should rip that jersey off you right now” he says and a shiver runs through my body. “Try it and see how far you get” I say.

I head downstairs to the kitchen. “Good morning Lucy” Dolores says. “Hello Dolores. Would you like some help” I ask. “That would be lovely” she says. Soon Elma, Katia and Cristiano are sitting at the table. I place a plate of pancakes in front of Cristiano and he smiles at me. “Ok I’m I still dreaming or is Lucy actually here” Nuno says walking into the kitchen. “No I’m here. Pancakes” I ask and he shakes his head. “No food” he groans. “Good night” I ask and he nods before groaning.

“Nice shirt Lucy” Nuno grins at Cristiano. “You couldn’t find a girl who supports your team Ronnie lad” Jorge says sitting down. “Hey I have taste” I say. “Then why are you dating my brother” Elma says. “I’m not sure” I say to her wrapping my arms around his neck. She always thinks the worst. “Why them?” Jorge asks and I pull away for Cristiano. “There history, there greatness and I think there number eight is cute” I say. “Typical woman. Only looking at the men” Nuno says. “I prefer Totti” Katia says. “Oh I think Torres is cute. I love a Spaniard” Elma says. “Couldn’t pick a fellow Portuguese” Nuno says. “Well Figo is cute too” I say and Cristiano pulls me into his lap. “There’s only one hot number seven” he says before kissing me. I forgot how good of a kisser he is.

“Lucy” Rodrigo shouts running towards me. I break from the kiss and sit on my own chair before hugging Rodrigo as he sits on my lap. “Did you miss me?” we both say at the same time. “So what do you want to do today?” Dolores asks. “Play” Rodrigo says. “How about the zoo?” Cristiano says. “The zoo” Elma says. “I want to I want to” Rodrigo says jumping up and down in my lap. “That sounds like a lovely idea” I say. “He’s known to have one at times” Nuno says and the rest laugh. “Thanks Nuno. So who wants to go other than these two?” Cristiano asks pointing at Rodrigo and I. “I’ll go but I think Zé will stay here” Katia says a little disappointed. Looks like Zé had too much fun with the drink last night I think.

“So that’s me, Lucy, Rodrigo, Katia and Nuno” Cristiano says. “Hey I never said I was going” Nuno says. “You can’t leave me with all the women” Cristiano jokes. “Aww are you scared we would leave you with all your cousins” I say and he raises his eyebrows. “The monkeys” I say and Rodrigo laughs. “Are you coming Elma?” I ask. “Why not I suppose” she says. “Good I can have some time to myself” Dolores says. “I thought you wanted to spend more time together as a family” Elma says mimicking her mother. “Behave you and ye are spending time together” she says. “I guess we should go soon” Nuno says. “I thought you didn’t want to come” I say. “It might be fun” he says.

An hour later we arrive at Chester Zoo. “Ok where to first” I ask holding Rodrigo’s hand. “Let’s just walk right first and see where we end up” Elma says and Rodrigo and I nod our heads. “Look at the lions” Rodrigo shouts running over quickly followed by Katia. “Remind how old you are?” Cristiano whispers into my ear standing behind me. “Oh shut up. I like the zoo. You should see the one in New York. My dad used to take us when we were younger” I say. I always liked those family days out.

“Well I’m glad we came so. You haven’t stopped smiling since we arrived. It’s be a while since you really smiled” he says. “I hadn’t noticed. Anyway I haven’t had much to smile about” I say quietly.
“Jorge liked your jersey this morning” he says. “I thought he hated it” I say. “He did but he liked that you didn’t stop wearing it and that I didn’t get my own way” he says. “What did he want to talk to you about before we left?” I ask. “Just work stuff” he says before walking over to pick Rodrigo up.

“If you don’t want your picture taken now would be the time to stay away from Cristiano” Nuno says pointing to some people with cameras before throwing his arm around my shoulders. I look as a bunch of people come up to Cristiano to ask for his photo. He happily poses with them and the kids around him look so happy.

“Lucy come see the elephants” Rodrigo says and I hold his hand and we walk past Cristiano. “We’ll follow you” Nuno shouts after me. “I like the zoo” Rodrigo says to me. “What’s your favourite thing?” I ask him. “Having Tio Cris here and you” he says and I smile down at him. “Aww you are such a cutie” I say picking him up and kissing him on his forehead. “Hey how come he gets all the kisses” Cristiano says standing beside me. “Because I’m such a cutie” Rodrigo says and I laugh. “Well be a cutie and ask your Mama if we can go see the animal show” Cristiano says and I let Rodrigo down onto his feet.

I watch as he runs to Katia and Elma. I remember being his age. Life seemed so easy and uncomplicated. “Are you ok?” he asks me. “Ya just thinking that’s all” I say. “You and thinking” he says grinning. “I bet you get told that you don’t think at all” I say. “She’s got you there Cris” Elma says. “Bet you can’t think what I’m thinking right now” he whispers into my ear ignoring Elma and sending a shiver down my spine. “Someone wants your photo” I say looking over my shoulder and he laughs.

By the end of the day I’m exhausted. Hardly any sleep the last few days has started to catch up on me. “Where are Rodrigo and Cristiano” I ask Elma. The two off them had disappeared a while ago together. “Here they are” she says. “Mama look what Tío Cris got me” Rodrigo says running up to Katia with a stuff elephant. “And what did you buy?” Elma asks her brother. “None of your business” he says. “Time to go home” Nuno says and we all head back to the car.

Later that night as I climb into bed I feel something under my pillow and Cristiano laughs. “What the hell?” I say holding up a stuffed lion toy. “Where did this come from?” I ask him. “I saw it when Rodrigo and I were in the gift shop. I thought you would like it” he says shrugging. “Thanks Cris” I say placing a kiss on his cheek. “I love it. I really do. I had one like this when I was a kid” I say remembering the toy that my mother had left behind the day we left New York. “Hey what’s with the frown” he says holding my chin. “Nothing” I say pulling away from him. “Noite” I say.