What I Did for Love

Let Me think about It

Ana ignored Marco's Pouting as she continued to pack, she was going home for a couple of weeks, Yet he was acting like she was going to be gone for good.

" I don't understand why you have to go home" Marco muttered, the football season had finally ended for the winter break, Marco had been looking forward to spending some time with Ana.

Ana sighed as she placed her lap top in her Suitcase. " I haven't seen my parents for Months, Plus It's Christmas, I always spend it at home" Ana replied.

" I thought you would have spent it here with me, since it's our first one" Marco pointed out.

Ana wanted to spend Christmas with Marco, she had planned on coming back on Christmas Eve, to surprise him.

" I do want to spend it with you, but it's only right I go home and see my parents. they haven't seen me for most of this year" Ana said quietly.

" Then why are you leaving now, Its still a ten days away from Christmas" he sighed.

Ana ignored Marco as she finished Packing, she knew when he got like this, there was no getting through to him. They had been together nearly six months and still she was trying to work him out. She wasn't really sure if he was as mad as he seemed, or if he was faking it.

" Marco I will make it up to you, when I come back" Ana promised.

Marco sighed, he knew he was being unfair, Ana had every right to go home, to see her parents.

" Its fine, I understand" he said, reaching out for Ana and pulling her into his lap.

Ana placed her arm around his neck, he was still sulking, but she knew he would get over it.

" I will call you every day" she said.

" You better" Marco warned, as he pulled Ana closer to him. He would miss her, but he would have to cope the next few weeks without her.

***

Ana followed Marco into the restaurant, they were having dinner with Mario, Mats and Cathy.

Mario waved them over when he spotted them, he looked like an over excited puppy. Ana laughed a little as she allowed Marco to drag her over to the table.

" Oh someone is in a bad mood" Mario teased as he noted the all too familiar look on Marco's face.

" He is in a grump, because I am going home for Christmas" Ana laughed.

" Aw can't cope without Ana for a few weeks" Mats joked.

" Shut up" Marco muttered, as he sat down.

Ana smiled at Cathy as she sat down, she had gotten a little close to her over the last few months.

" Where is your GBF?" Mario asked, glancing around for the annoying man that always cursed at him.

"GBF? Ana asked.

" Gay best friend" Marco clarified for her.

" Oh, Neil is away home to his family" Ana replied, while glancing at the menu.

" See everyone goes home to their families at this time of year" Mario pointed out to Marco.

Marco sent him a cool look, then started talking to Mats about what he would be doing over the next few weeks.

" So have you guys swapped presents?" Mario asked, he had known what Marco had gotten Ana, she would love it.

" No, not yet" Ana said, smiling at Marco.

" You will just have to wait for your present till you come back" Marco said, grinning at Ana.

" Okay" Ana agreed, as she spotted a few teenage girls heading their way.

" Your fan girls await" she said quietly to Marco, he turned and looked, he saw about three heading their way.

" They might be mine" Mario joked.

" Yeah sure, after you moved to Bayern, I don't think so" Marco joked.

Mario and Marco bickered back and forth, too caught up in the little spat they hadn't realized the girls were now at the table.

" Marco could we get a picture" one of the girls asked shyly.

Marco smirked at Mario, before he turned to the young girl " Sure" he said, moving closer to her, so she could get a picture.

Ana watched as Marco interacted with his fans, he was really good with them. Most footballers would probably have just ignored the fans.

" Is she your girlfriend?" Ana heard one of he girls ask.

Ana sat lower in her chair, she wasn't one for attention.

" She is" Marco replied proudly, as he signed a few of their shirts.

" She is pretty" another said.

Ana looked away a little uncomfortable with the attention, she saw Mario laughing at her. She kicked him under the table, that stopped him laughing at her.

" Thanks for the pictures and signing my shirts" the young girls said, before she walked away with her friends.

Marco smiled at them, then turned back to Mats, who didn't look all that pleased that he was ignored.

" If you want I can call them back for you?" Marco teased.

Mats laughed " Nah its Okay, I don't need fan girls, I have my biggest one right here" he said, pointing to Cathy.

" Aw so sweet" Mario said, while pretending to gag.

Ana laughed at Mario, he was really funny, she didn't understand why he was still single.

Marco moved a little closer to Ana " Are you okay?" he asked.

" I am more than Okay" she said, her eyes shining brightly.

Mario looked at Mats and Cathy then at Marco and Ana, he felt awkward sitting with two loved up couples.

" Should I just leave?" he asked.

Marco looked away from Ana and laughed " Sorry Mario" he said, sounding anything but sorry.

" You should find yourself a girlfriend" Ana added.

" Nah, I like being single" Mario winked at her.

" You are such a Man whore" Marco fired back.

" Hey you used to be worse than me" Mario accused.

Ana looked at Marco, this was a story she was interested in hearing.

" Not now Mario" Marco said, shifting a little in his seat.

" Oh don't want to upset Ana" Mario teased.

" Shut up Mario" Marco and Mats said at the same time.

" Fine" Mario pouted.

Ana and Cathy just shook their heads at the three footballers, they were acting worse than kids.

" Lets eat" Ana said, looking around for the waiter, so they could order their meals.

***
Ana smiled as she snuggled closer to Marco, he had suggested going for a walk before he took her home.

" This is nice" she said, as snow began to fall.

" It is" Marco agreed.

Marco played with the ring box in his pocket, he knew they had only been dating a little while, but he had never felt this way about anyone before. He was sure about this step, he wanted everyone to know that Ana was his.

Ana glanced up at Marco, he seemed a little quiet tonight, she had put that down to her going home, but she could sense there was something more to it.

" You okay?" she asked.

Marco simply nodded and led Ana into a Garden, he used to spend all his time at when he was a kid.

Ana gasped as she took it in, the place was beautiful, she had been in Dortmund for months now, and had never come across this place.

" This place is beautiful" Ana commented.

Marco smiled down at Ana, glad that she liked his private place. " I used to come here a lot when I was a kid" he said.

" I can see why you would like it" she said, taking in the scenery in front of her.

" I wanted to share it with you" he said.

Ana was touched by his gesture " I am glad you did" she said, smiling up at him.

The place was perfect, the time was perfect, but something stopped Marco from pulling out the ring. He wanted to ask her, but something was holding him back, maybe it was too soon. Maybe he should wait till she came back from New York.

" You seem a little distracted Marco" Ana said, her green eyes shining brightly in the dark.

Marco knew it was now or never what is the worst thing that could happen, she says no.

Marco pulled Ana a little closer, he pulled the ring box out of his pocket.

" I know we have only been dating a short time, but I love you and want everyone to know you are mine" he said quietly.

Ana smiled warmly at Marco, she wondered where he was going with this.

Marco finally showed Ana the box, she let out a little gasp, not sure what to feel, she hadn't been expecting this.

" Marco" she muttered, not sure if they were ready for this step.

" Ana will you do me the honor of becoming my wife" he asked, while opening the box, to reveal a beautiful ring.

***

Ana was speechless, she wasn't sure what to say, she looked back at Marco and then back at the ring. She loved him, she was sure of that, but they had only been dating a few months, she was worried they were going to fast.

" Marco I love you, but this is moving to fast" she replied.

Marco bit on his lip nervously, he was scared of this reaction.

" So is that a no?" he asked.

Ana could see the fear in Marco's eyes, she couldn't say no to him, but she wasn't sure about saying yes either, she needed to think about this.

" No, it's a let me think about it" she said softly.

" What is there to think about?" he snorted.

Ana gently cupped his face " Marco this is a big step, I just need a little time, I will have an answer for you, when I come back" she replied.

" That isn't the answer I was wanting" Marco mumbled.

" I am not saying no Marco, I just need a little time, can you give me that?" she asked.

Marco nodded, he would give her time, he didn't want to force her into a decision, she was right this was a massive step.

Ana handed Marco the ring back, be he shook his head " No I want you to have it" he said.

" I think you should have it, till I make my decision" she said, offering the ring back.

Marco took it back and stuck it back into his trouser pocket.

Ana wrapped her arms around him, she wanted to make clear to him that she wasn't totally against the idea of Marriage, she just needed a little time.

" I Love you, you know that right?" she asked.

Marco nodded, he just hoped he hadn't scared her off with the sudden proposal.

" Good, just want to make sure you know that" Ana added, before she pressed her lips to his, he kissed her back. He hoped that she would come back with the answer he wanted in a couple of weeks.