When Does the Pretending End?

Cristiano's Pov

The wind and the rain bangs off the bedroom window, as the morning sun tries to find a way through the clouds but the only thing I can hear is the sound of the most beautiful girl in the world, breathing, asleep in my arms. I twirl my finger through a lock of her hair as I listen to her soft breaths. I smile remembering how fast her breathing was all during the night when we were making love. It was even better than my dreams.

Her leg moves over my leg and she snuggles closer to me. “Why do I have a feeling that you are very happy with yourself this morning?” she whispers giving me the first hint that she’s awake. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve got you in my arms” I say kissing the top of her head. “You’ve had me in your arms every morning for last few months” she says wrapping her arm around my waist. “But this time I know what’s under those pyjamas” I say and she laughs. “You seem very happy considering its not even 7 yet? Where’s my grumpy cutie gone?” I say. Her finger runs along my chest. “I’m going to ignore the grumpy comment since I am happy” she says as I stroke her hair.

“Any regrets?” I ask slowly and slightly frightened of the possible answer. “Absolutely none. You?” she asks and I let the breath I was holding out. “Just one” I say and I feel her still. “That we didn’t do this sooner” I say and she slaps my chest. “Not funny” she says raising onto to her elbow.

“Hi” I say smiling at her. “Hi” she says grinning. She rests head on the pillow and we roll on to our sides looking at each other. I stroke the side of her face. “So what happens now?” she asks. “What do you want to happen?” I ask. “I don’t know” she says. “Well, I think we should continue like we are. Except for one change” I say. “What’s that?” she asks biting her lip. “No pretending” I say and her eyes sparkle. “Really?” she asks.

“Lucy, I want you. I want this. Not just sex. I want to go away knowing I have you at home. I want what we already have” I say kissing her. “Do you mean all of that?” she asks when we break apart. “Every word. I told you last night, how much I want you” I say. “When?” she asks. “When what?” I ask raising an eyebrow at her. “When did you start to like me? You know” she asks feeling embarrassed at sounding like a sixteen year old.

“You tell me” I say nudging my nose against hers. “I asked you first” she says and she tugs the covers around her more.

“Why is it that I have found myself talking about my feelings and just talking to you so much?” I say. “I don’t know but I know the feeling. Now stop stalling” she says.

“The honest answer. From the first time I saw you” I say. “Stop been cheesy and tell me” she says. “It’s true. I wanted you the moment I say you. Ok I want you in my bed. Come on any guy with half a brain you want you in his bed” I say and she blushes. “You’re cute when you blush” I say. And she smiles.

I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. “Honestly I’ve always liked been around you, even when I knew you didn’t like been around me. The way you are with my family. Rodrigo adores you. Jezz I was even jealous of him when he got all your attention. But I think the first time I thought that I didn’t want you to leave was when you told me about your sister” I say turning my head to look at her. She nods for me to continue.

“I held you in my arms and spent the rest of the night thinking about how much I never wanted anyone to hurt you. I just wanted to hold you” I say. “That was an odd night” she says.
“These past few weeks were great. I tried everything I could think to be near you and touch you. You put up with everything. Meeting my teammates, their wives not to mind my brother” I say. “Meeting your teammates and their wives wasn’t that bad. And well Hugo is Hugo” she says.

“It was nice having you around me. I’ve spent the last week dreading the thought of you leaving. The thought of not having you in my arms. Talking to you. Seeing you smile and laugh” I say.

“Just as well then that I’m not going anywhere isn’t it” she says and she kisses me. “You mean that?” I ask. “Ya I think I do. It’s so mad. I never thought I wouldn’t want to leave” she says.

“Lucy about what I said last night when we were fighting. I am so sorry that I brought up Lacey. I meant what I said about not making you cry. I never want to see you hurt” I say stroking her cheek with my thumb. “I know you are sorry. And that you only said it in the heat of the moment. But you ever say anything like that again and Hugo won’t be the only Averio brother that will need to watch his back” she says. “I get you” I say.

“How do you feel about last night?” she asks. “Well last night was certainly fun” I say trying to tickle her. She giggles and pushes me away. “You know what I mean. I wasn’t the only one you hurt with your words she says. “I don’t want to think about the reason why I said those things right now Lucy, please. I just want to enjoy having you here with me” I say. “Fine” she says. I roll my eyes. “Just say what you want to say” I say knowing she has stuff to get of her chest.

She sits up and turns to look at me. “Ok I know finding out about your mother having a boyfriend was a shock” she says holding a finger to my mouth. “And while I don’t condone them all lying to you. I know they only did it to protect you. Like you did about lying about you and me. Doesn’t your mother deserve to be happy?” she asks. And I throw my hand over my eyes.

“I make you happy, don’t I?” she asks. I smile. “You have for weeks” I say. “Then if Andrade makes your mother happy, that can’t be a bad thing” she says. “But Papi” I say. “Your mother loved him. I can tell that for just listening to her speak about him. But as sad and hard it is, he’s not with you anymore and people have to move on. Just because your mother has someone new in her life doesn't mean you all will forget you father. Do you think your father wouldn’t want your mother to be happy?” she asks.

Maybe she’s right. But I can’t think stop thinking about us turning our backs on Papi.

“Look just think about. That’s all I’m asking. No one is expecting you to be the guy’s best friend. But you need to talk to your mother and listen to what she tells you without getting angry” Lucy says. “I’ll think about it” I say. “Good. And thanks for letting me talk” she says kissing me. “Like I had a choice” I say and grab her wrists before she can smack me.

I roll her onto her back. “Now if we are finished talking, I’ve got a better idea of what we could be doing” I say. “Have you now” she says grinning. “And what would that involve” she asks wrapping her arms around my neck.

And we continue where we left off last night.