Hunter“We need a shower.” I wink, grab her waist and bite her earlobe. She is shocked but yearning for my touch, yielding into my arms.I capture her mouth realizing her instincts are talking louder than mine. With a quick gesture, I turn on the shower and feel the temperature of the water. It's perfectly warm. I do all this without stopping my kissing her and without removing the clothes that cover her beautiful body.I stare into those beautiful brown eyes that are bright, wild and sweet at the same time, giving the perfect view a man can have of a woman.“So beautiful,” I say. I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and she shyly looks down.I pick her up in my lap, trapping her legs against me and push her against the glass door. Selena doesn't even seem to feel the cold tiles pressing into her back yet continues to look at me as though able to see my insides, if that were ever possible.It all feels like a dream, my dream of having my Selena with me that has come true. She c
Of course, I get sick after getting home from riding that two-wheeled thing I affectionately dub the alien I've always been terrified of. Despite challenging my fear, I did very well. I loved clinging to Hunter for the entire ride and feeling the wind against me, that was invigorating.Valentina tells Hunter that I have been sick and he makes me promise that today we would see Dr. Sheena together with the neurologist and Dr. Sheena. He wants us to discuss the issue of pneumonia I had.“Well Selena, your X-ray is in perfect condition,” Dr. Sheena notes. She holds the sheets up to the light. “The headaches will still continue, but your progress is excellent. It's the first time I've seen an amnesia patient reform so quickly.”It makes me feel better just knowing that I understand what she's talking about because until now, we've never really been able to communicate.“Tell me something,” she says, “where were you and what time was your last memory?”“I had already arrived in Barcelona a
He steps into the bathroom. “Good morning, my beautiful. I did not want to scare you. Your beautiful smile is here like every morning.”“You didn't scare me,” I speak softly, going back to the sink. “Good morning to you too. You arrived early.”“I missed you.” He kisses the back of my neck, making me shiver. “And I wanted to bring you breakfast in bed, but you spoiled my surprise.”“I'm a terrible person.” I bite my lip, almost laughing.“How were the consultations?” He leans his hip against the sink beside me and folds his arms.“Dr. Sheena praised me for the progress I’ve made in recent months,” I say, relieved for a subject that I can give explanations. “She said she's never seen such quick memory recall.” Hunter just nods his head, waiting for me to say more. “Dr. Sheena took a blood test and said my health is positive.” I shudder when I say that last word, but to my even greater relief, Hunter doesn’t notice.Breakfast is great but I have to lie to Hunter to convince him to get s
I grab my cellphone and dial my dad's number.“Hello?” he formally answers but he knows who it is.“Hi Dad, can we talk?” My leg shakes in anticipation.“Selena it’s going to cost a lot to talk on the phone,” he speaks, but I won’t let him back out.“Father I'm here, and we need to talk.”He snorts. “Where are you?”I explain exactly where I am and he asks me to wait at one of the cafes facing the sea and order only an orange juice. My dad arrives about ten minutes later in a La Coste jacket, jeans, and running shoes.“Hi Dad.” He just keeps looking at me arrogantly without even greeting me. “Sorry to make a fuss.”“How is Hunter?” He positions himself in the chair across from me.“Very well,” I answer. “Next week he disembarks in Madrid to stay focused for the World Cup.”“I'm happy for you.”His vague words earn a rise in me.“Is that all you're gonna tell me?” I bite.“And what do you want me to say?”“I don't know, you're the father, how about asking me how I am instead of asking
HunterIt’s my fifth time calling and nothing. Selena is definitely out of kilter. She keeps dropping the call to voicemail and when she does answer, she leaves our conversation vague. I put away my phone and go back to doing my physical tests as the doctors have been waiting for me for five minutes.The pressure on me is increasing since being the 10th jersey of the team that wins the most times in this world championship could be mine. I look around one of the various training camps and see more and more journalists, and to be honest, I have never seen so many journalists around me before. Each one calls for my attention when training ends but I choose to leave without talking to anyone.Next week the announcement of my club transfer comes out and I feel grateful to be confined to Real Madrid without being able to give interviews until further notice. Therefore, there will be no fuss for a few days.It's almost night. The sun doesn't show on the horizon anymore and I spend several l
A month ago...The house was silent despite the fact that it was two in the afternoon, an unusual thing as when I arrived Selena usually welcomed me with a smile as soon as I entered the front door. Maria was not there since she went to Madrid to sit in a meeting at her daughter's school. Despite not being there, she had already cooked a whole lot of food, labelled all the boxes and left notes on post-its so that I wouldn’t starve for my lack of good cooking skills.As I climbed up the stairs, a music of a mixed electronic dance rhythm grew louder. I realized it's coming from the trophy room Selena had given me. That was the best surprise of my life, all my trophies and jersey wins are now always in front of my eyes to remind me of my victoriesI peeked through the small crack in the door. Selena was looking at the full-length mirror in the room, dancing frantically in calculated and rhythmic steps. Boy, she sure could dance and blow any man’s mind away with her moves. Her gray gym sh
I look at the balcony where Miguel is finishing installing the last details of the Spanish flags displayed on the support grid. On his back is the number ten with Hunter's name in green. It reminds me that I am pregnant with his children. The autograph and signature are at the height of my brother's ribs and my mind wanders to the notes Hunter always left me. I pout for the longing that settles upon my chest.A week ago, I lied to the man I loved for being a complete coward. I am unable to face reality, but lately I prefer to think that I was protecting him and his professional life and for that he has to leave people aside, i.e., me.The announcement of his transfer to the rival club was no surprise to anyone and not a breaking news, the newspapers and sports programs had only officially announced the events. There were no pronouncements from Hunter only Alan who gave a small note saying that "Hunter" himself and his family were very happy. As the announcement was not new, the most c
“I don't know how to take care of children anymore, let alone three at once!” she speaks to herself, trying to conform. She was clearly feeling all the stress from Dr Milton’s words.“Sorry Mom.” I reply, truly apologetic for all the shit that I put her through“You'll see, when the three of them are crying...” She comments sarcastically, shaking her head as though she had already imagined the very sight.I laugh, still unhappy and crying. “My god, Mother! I know I may not be here, but I'll take care of you all.” I look at my fingers in my lap.“You are obliged to be here; I forbid you not to be.” We let out a laugh together in the back of our throats. “How are we going to care for them?”“I have my life insurance, remember. And if something happens…” I swallow hard. “You won't have to worry about money.”My voice gets more choked. Does the insurance cover... death? My thoughts make me panic all the more.“You have to tell him,” says my mom. I know she is talking about Hunter. She al
One year later...You've been married for just over a year, and your children will complete one year. How has your life changed from then?I fiddle with my fingers that are resting on my now finely crossed legs.“I discovered myself as a woman,” I answer, facing Alice as she interviews me. “I found that I can really take care of someone, since I didn't even know how to take care of myself. And now I take care of four!”“How is the atmosphere in your house with your children?”I smile. “My house is the biggest mess ever. It's a minefield of toys everywhere. Every time I get home, my kids start waving their arms frantically and laughing nonstop to see me.”“And your husband, Hunter Blanco, is at home with his children?”I look at the camera nervously photographing me and then back at Alice.“He is an amazing father, and whenever he can, he is with his children and family.” I end it there and Alice tilts her head and looks at me.“Selena!” she scolds me. “This is a personal interview, so
I let him enter the dimly lit room. The quiet and peaceful environment, together with the image of Hunter kissing our children's foreheads, fascinates me. He cares about them fifteen thousand times more than he cares about me. Before, I didn't understand the reason for this exaggeration, but now I would watch over them as they sleep twenty-four hours a day if I could.“How did they spend these last few days?”My heart sinks, remembering. It’s been five days since we've seen each other, way too long!“The pediatrician said that Valeria should start taking half a dose of the medication,” I inform and he sighs. “The boys are missing iron. Did you see the size of Pedro's fat little hand and Liam's thick thigh?” I say, laughing.“There was no way not to notice it, it makes you want to bite it.”I feel like crying to see him so happy. I want to hug him and hold him so much that I have to hold back. I need him to keep me strong, and I like it better when I have more time, but now it doesn't
Hunter:"I know I'm stubbornBut I changed when I looked at youYou made me wiserAs much as I try to run awayI'm always led in your directionIt seems like I let go everythingAs I held your hand."“I Forgot to Forget You – Mr SantanaThe plane lands on the ground as the intense Madrid sun helps ease the short winter days it has been having lately. I smooth out my suit, ready to get off the plane. I become twice as nervous.I'm coming back from Germany after another game for the Champions League*. It was quite a game. I’m bringing another victory and two more goals in my career. Today I feel like no one can beat me. Nobody can beat me as the best player, as the best husband and as the best father, and that's why I feel powerful, having my family around.I quicken my pace, leaving my team behind. I hear protests, but I don't give a damn. I'm missing my family. It’s been two months since my two little surprises have been at home with my little princess ValeriaI get into my custom bla
I try to get comfortable in my hospital bed, but it's impossible. My stitches are sore, and my belly never seems to want to deflate. I want my tiny waist back and not get saggy!My two boys have just had their last hospital feed as tomorrow we are finally going home. After almost four days, we can go to our new house which I still haven't seen after the last details of the renovation. The hard part will be leaving my little one with the pink bow in her hair at the hospital. It won't be easy. After all, I have to feed three babies, and one of them will be far from me in that damn incubator.Hunter is hesitant after I mention Christiano's name, constantly dodging the conversation. Still, every time I look at him, I see his watery eyes for our daughter, who hasn't shown any improvement. I can't hide my crying spells. After all, I want my family back home and healthy. I can't believe that as soon as he learned more about the subject, he didn't think straight about his brother, who is too
“We have tested everyone in our family,” Hunter takes the lead. “Even Alice, Joanna, Stella, Fernando and Sophia volunteered. I realised that Sophia was on the list since she is not your blood sister. But none of them are a match,” he says, unsatisfied.I spend more time with my daughter, my beautiful little princess with blue eyes. She swallows stiffly every time she moves inside that warm bubble. She is so small, so white and almost bald.I head back to the bedroom, and soon they bring me my two boys. When I hold them one by one in my lap, already lying on the gurney, I almost fear I am going to drop them. Like their sister, they are so tiny, also white and bald. I can barely distinguish them from one another.First, I cuddle Pedro, who keeps moving his hands and making faces. And then it is Liam's turn, who keeps wiggling and blinking lazily. So beautiful.For the first time, I am going to breastfeed my children. The nurses watch me all the time to see if I am doing it wrong. And f
Life is sometimes so unfair but objectively correct. There are no pains that cannot be healed, no bonds that cannot be joined, people that do not come back—the concept of life and death. Widely known as the eminent pain after a person, who is deliberately said to set out on a better journey. Maybe not. Since no one has yet discovered what occurs after death, there are only scientific and religious theories to go by.I can say that experiencing death is neither painful nor sad. I don't feel like running out of the light and back to life. Peace. Perhaps the peace that everyone seeks is not in life itself. Never, ever, no matter how hard you try, you will never have any rest. As much as something is resolved well, another factor comes and shakes everything again. That may be the meaning of life. It’s not just you opening your eyes and feeling that your heart is still beating. It's a vicious cycle, where love and disagreement will always be present as a challenge, a challenge you face eve
I feel my eyelids getting heavier. It's too hard to keep my eyes alert. The doctors and nurses keep encouraging me to stay awake as I drift off. Sleeping at a time like this would complicate their work much more.They get to work with the scalpel. A rush takes place behind the door, and I am aware of what is happening. Hunter, my Hunter is in sterilised blue suits to match his blue eyes.My head starts to ache, and I close my eyes due to the sudden pain."Our first appearance together. There will be a lot of people.“If you get nervous and want to leave that's fine.""Let's see you soon, my beautiful. Just don't forget what we had together."More pressure in my head settles, and every time I open my eyes and blink, there’s a flash of memory.“I promise to never forget you,” I speak hoarsely, repeating what I told him on the day of the benefit ball.He takes my hand, and we both cry, and then he understands everything. Despite the rush to move my belly that occurs around us, we are obl
Losing him was something I've never imaginedMissing you was like the dark grey skies, I am here all aloneForgetting you was like trying to find out about somebodythat I never sawBut loving him was all redTouching him again was me realising that everything I ever wantedwas right in front of meRemembering it was as easy as knowing all the lyricsfrom your favourite songFighting with you was like trying to solve difficult crossword puzzlesAnd realise that there is no right answerMy regret for you was as though you wishedthat you had never discoveredThat maybe love could be this strong – Tay Swift – “Red”Contractions increase with every nanosecond of my breathing. I look at the car's dashboard and realise that Fernando is driving at 110 km/h on one of Madrid's busiest avenues. I let out one scream after another in pain, and with each one that is echoed by the car, I see the expression of agony on Sophia's face.I can't feel my hands or feet. My hair is plastered to my forehea
SelenaAfter our last fight at the end of last month it is like a burst of guilt. Guilt is now stuck between us and our relationship. He for talking to me about pessimism, and I admit that I'm pessimistic, but I didn't say that, and that's precisely my percentage of the blame.Despite what the doctor said, I was determined to fight the obvious consequence at all odds. I had to be positive, believe there was a calming light at the end of a tunnel, that it wasn’t a train which will crush me under it’s wheels of destiny.Snap! Someone makes a click with their fingers to bring me back to reality.“Stop thinking so much!” It was Sophia, my best friend soulmate.“I think the third baby's name is Theo,” I tell Sophia as she came to me to confirm that she chose her baby's name too. “And we'll have one more family man.”When we speak together, the same name is spelt out in our voices, making us laugh like crazy until she says I could put it on the third baby since I'm going to win first. It wa