Till There Was You

Steven was in a very good mood as the team's charter approached the city, the lights of Barcelona shining under the night sky. "Next Sunday is your debut at Camp Nou, the fans are going to make it special", said Xavi.

"It's going to feel like making my debut all over again. I was a green lad when I was first presented in front of the Kopites at Anfield. I know my girls are going to be watching", said Steven.

"Veritat, that is the start of the second phase of your career, amic. Just remain calm", said Gerard.

"Keep calm and carry on, it ought to be our motto", Steven quipped.

"Is the stereotype true then, English people don't freak out?", joked Lionel.

"Si, I played in Liverpool so I know. English people are very calm, compared to Spanish people", said Luis.

"Right on, mate. It got us through two World Wars", said Steven dryly.

Steven saw the Suarez family and his face lit up when he saw Aracelis, giving her a hug and a quick kiss. "Esa fue una meta fabulosa, mi amor,", she teased.

"Gracias, my bonny black-haired girl. It was a good debut for Barca, next week is the big one. Luis, I'm taking her to my place if you don't mind", he said.

"Si, tu puedas. Pero si haces algo malo, te mataré", said Luis, the toothy smile on his face lke that of a shark.

"Si, yo sabe. Hasta luego", he said.

Steven collected his bag and led her outside to the parking lot. "I got some shirts and shorts you can borrow, I'll call the girls tomorrow", he said.

Aracelis got in the passenger's seat and he turned on the engine as the radio was tuned to some random pop station. "I really ought to hook up me device, I can't stand this bloody wank", he muttered.

"I feel the same way", she said.

Steven laughed and drove out of the parking lot, following the directions on the GPS. He parked in the underground garage and led her towards the elevator as it stopped at his floor, opening the dor of the condo and turning on the lights. "Someday this is going to start feeling like home for real, I'll always miss Liverpool", he sighed.

Steven quickly changed into a plain white t-shirt and black sweatpants, handing her a red Liverpool t-shirt and matching shorts. "I hope this fits", he said.

Steven had turned on the TV and poured them each a tumbler of Famous Grouse when she emerged from the room. He looked up and suddenly his mouth went dry and he felt like a teenager again when he saw her, the shorts revealing her legs and the shirt clinging to her breasts. "Steven, estas bien?", she asked.

"Si, estoy bien. You look better in me old kit than me, my bonny black-haired girl", he teased.

Aracelis blushed as he handed her a glass. Steven changed through the channels until he came across a replay of the Liverpool game against Stoke at Anfield. The sea of red and the banners and snippets of You'll Never Walk Alone filled him with a sense of nostalgia so strong he took a sip of whiskey.

"That is Liverpool?", she asked.

"Aye, and that is Anfield and that is the Kop. My home since I was a green lad, I miss those bastards", he said.

"Did you play for the reserve team?", she asked.

"Yeah, first the youth team and then the reserves and finally the first team, by the time I was eighteen. Blimey, you big Spanish bastard!", he yelled as Fernando missed the net by a foot.

"Don't you like Torres?", she asked.

"Aye, I should have watched me language. Fernando is one of my best mates, he came over Liverpool as this skinny ginger lad from Spain who could score like a demon. He's got a great wife, this French lady he met in Canada while on holiday and they're having a baby. And that's Juan, he transferred from Chelsea and acts like a proper little Englishman. He already spoke English really good but got himself a nice little Scouse accent and him and Christina are always at the rock clubs. That's his wife, me and Fernando are the godfathers to their daughter Skye", he said.

"Que bueno", she replied.

"Verdad, it was an honor. Fuckin' hell", he muttered when Stoke scored.

"Dices muchas palabras malas", she chided.

"Por favor, my bonny black-haired girl. Luis swears more, in Spanish and in English. Your curses are more interesting", he laughed.

"Si, pero los hombres no dicen esas palabras delante de una dama, verdad?", he teased.

"I love it when you speak Spanish, my bonny black-haired girl. It's a bloody sexy language", he growled.

Aracelis was taken aback by the intensity in his voice and in his blue eyes, his arm around her shoulders as he leaned over and kissed her lips. He groaned at the contact and deepened the kiss and her lips parted under his as her fingers tangled in his hair.

Steven broke the kiss and smiled at her wide blue eyes and the blush on her cheeks, gently cupping her chin in his hands. "I never mean to frighten you, Ari. Sometimes I forget meself, but I was missing you a bit", he said.

"I missed you, Steven. I watched the game with Sofia and the kids", she said.

"Bueno, if I was a hot-blooded Spaniard I would have dedicated the goal to you. But I am a rational Englishman with nowhere near the swagger", he chuckled.

Aracelis playfully punched his arm. "No dices eso, me gustas mucho, mi novio Inglés", she teased.

"I like you a lot tambien, my bonny black-haired girl", he said, kissing her cheek.