Love Me Until My Heart Stops

36: You Know What

“Do you have any resolutions?” Esmé mused as she stood in front mirror, adjusting the dress that she had been given for Christmas by her mother. It was New Year’s Eve and after a successful match the night before, Gerard and Esmé had been invited to a small get together at Lionel’s home, something which was bound to be a low key affair ahead of the next match which only sat a couple of days in the future. It was a little odd, the La Liga schedule usually meant that there was no games played in the last week of December, but a change meant that any New Year’s celebrations needed to muted, something that Esmé was looking forwards to. She liked that idea that things could be quiet and less hectic that the previous New Year’s celebrations she had been to.

Gerard, who had been putting his shoes onto his feet, shrugged. “The usual, be happy, be healthy, do well for Barca, you?” he returned, looking up at her slightly. Things were calm, since Christmas, things appeared more comfortable than ever and Gerard couldn’t help but marvel at it all. It had been weeks since her trip to London, over a month, but Gerard was very aware that that had been the defining moment of their relationship. It had hung in the balance, their relationship, when Esmé had made the trip over to see Cesc, and he knew that her coming back was what had set them in motion. One decision in the other direction would have meant that their New Year’s Eve would have been markedly different.

“Well, I’d like to be happy and healthy too” she enthused, gently combing her fingers back through her hair “I’d like to get a little fitter, I might take up running, but mostly, I want to ensure that you’re still with me this time next year” she smiled gently.

“You think about next year?” Gerard posed, moving to collect his jacket which hung on the door.

“One of us has to” Esmé replied “And seeing your thought process seems to centre around training and when you can next get me into bed, it is probably going to have to be me” she teased.

Gerard shook his head. “I have other thoughts” he mumbled.

“Really? What would they be?” Esmé giggled, moving to collect her coat.

Gerard thought for a second before he moved towards her, setting his arms around her waist. “I think about how lucky I am” he murmured “And how easily this could have been so different. I think about a lot of things, Esmé, and just because you don’t quite know what they are, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen” he muttered gently, his lips pressing against her neck briefly before he stepped away “And by the way, you have no need to get fitter. You look wonderful as you are” he grinned, moving towards the door so that they could leave.

Esmé rolled her eyes briefly before she jogged to catch up with him, her hand gently wrapping around his.

~#~
“Look at you” Lionel grinned as he patted Gerard’s shoulder, causing the defender to pull his eyes away from the bottle of water that Esmé insisted he drink. It had been a quiet night, most of the drinks were soft and the music was quiet, but Gerard had still managed to enjoy himself, mostly because Esmé looked to be in her element. She was a sociable girl, making friends had always been a strength of hers, and as she sat in the middle of the living room, Gerard couldn’t help but admire her. She looked as though she was having a wonderful time.

“What are you talking about?” Gerard mumbled, pulling his eyes away from Esmé.

“You cannot stop looking at her” the argentine enthused “You’ve been here for 2 hours and you can’t stop looking over at her” he teased.

“So?” Gerard quipped “Am I not allowed to admire her?” he posed.

Lionel shook his head. “It’s just funny” he enthused “A few months ago, you two were the most platonic pair of people I’d ever met. You were sweet with it, but there was always a sense that it was never going to happen for you, and now you’re the most loved up couple I’ve ever met. It’s mildly amusing” he explained, sipping at the soft drink that Antonella had given to him.

“Amusing is not the word I would use” Gerard commented “But I get the sentiment. It is a pretty strange thought when you consider just how we were a few months ago” he agreed gently. There was no denying that it was what he wanted, he’d wanted Esmé for years, but now that he had her, he couldn’t quite fathom what he had been doing before. They fitted together, better than he could have hoped for, and it begged the question why they hadn’t done it before.

“For what it is worth, I like this version of you better” Lionel enthused.

“You never say that when I kiss her in front of you” Gerard teased.

Lionel smiled. “That’s because no one wants to watch the show you two put on when we’re travelling. Even Enrique wrinkles his nose” the argentine smirked.

Gerard shook his head gently.

“When are you going to ask her, Geri?” Lionel mused, breaking the small silence that fell over them.

“Ask what?” Gerard poked.

Lionel smirked. “You know what” he mused as Antonella appeared at his side, tucking herself beneath his arm “It’ll be the best decision you ever make” he enthused as he kissed the side of his wife’s head, leading her away from the defender who stared after them for a second, shaking his head. He knew what Lionel was getting at, it was the same sentiment that Delia had given him when she had presented him with the ring which was safely stowed in his sock drawer, but he didn’t understand everyone’s rush. If it was anyone else, no one would have expected him to take that step, but it being Esmé made it different.

Shaking his head a little more, he quietly moved out of his seat and padded over towards Esmé who was talking to Neymar, grinning. Neymar spotted the defender and quietly excused himself, something which made Esmé look up, her brown eyes crinkling a little at the corners as she smiled up at him. “Hola” she grinned.

Gerard shook his head, a smile on his face. “You look like you’re having the time of your life over here” he enthused.

Esmé shrugged. “It’s a party, a quiet one, but I still want to enjoy it. Decided to join me have you?” she quipped.

Gerard smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead, allowing her to snuggle a little closer to him. He knew he had to wait, even if everyone else seemed to think he could do it in the blink of an eye, but he knew that it was going to be here that he did it for. Excusing any other interference, he was pretty sure that she was going to be the one who he ended up with.
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Thanks to Jayme112234 and FootieJo for the comments :)