Our routine continued in the following months. We were still learning the ropes as parents, but that didn't mean weren't doing our best. Alexia was up most nights with Martina, feeding her and changing her. I could sleep during the night, and that was great, especially since I was with Martina all day.

Of course, I was up with Martina too, but Alexia was the one who did it the most. I don't know how I would do life without her, especially with Martina.

The most difficult part was when Alexia had away games. I had still not mustered up the courage to come with. In Barcelona I had a support system, with Eli, Alba, and my siblings. Whenever I needed help, I could call one of them. If I travelled to Bilbao with the team, or any other Spanish city for that matter, it would be heaps more difficult. I would have to take care of Martina alone. I mean, Alexia would do her best to help, but she needed to focus on the football. That was her job and was incredibly important for her.

I knew that Alexia knew that. Everyone knew that. The game was important, and her sleeping badly because of Martina was not allowed, at least not from me. I wanted her with me, but we both knew that her work was just as important. I could take care of myself and Martina for two days. And then Alexia could be away at a game. A win-win situation, but in the end, I was the only one who lost on it.

Another thing I hated was that I couldn't join Alexia at the Ballon D'or awards, especially as she won it. My fiancé was a Ballon D'or winner, and I hadn't been able to watch her win that prestigious award. It hurt, more than I would like to admit.

Eli was there with her, and so was Alba. I was sitting in our apartment, with Mapí on the couch with me. Martina was with us, drifting in and out of sleep during the entire show. I just wanted to be there for Alexia as this was a grand moment for her. I wanted to board a flight and travel to Paris with Martina. But all I could do was to sit in the living room.

Quiero agradecer a muchas personas. Mis compañeros jugaron un papel muy importante en todo esto. Siempre apoyándome. Quiero agradecer a mi madre y a mi hermana que siempre estar aquí para mí y conmigo.

Quiero dedicar... Intentaré no ponerme demasiado emocional. En este momento, a alguien que es, y será siempre, muy importante para mí. Hago todo gracias a ti. Espero que estés orgulloso de tu hija, esto es para ti, papá.

también quiero agradecer a mi prometido. Sin ti no estaría aquí. Así que gracias por todo. Por apoyarme siempre y por darme una nueva perspectiva en la vida. La perspectiva de una madre. ¡Gracias a todos!" Alexia spoke from the TV, making tears well up in my eyes.

("There are so many people I want to thank. My teammates played such a big role in all of this. Always supporting me in my every move. I want to thank my mother and sister for always being here for me, and with me.

I want to dedicate... I'll try not to get too emotional. At this time, to someone who is, and will always be, very important for me. I do everything because of you. I hope you're proud of your daughter, wherever you are, this is for you, dad.

I also want to thank my fiancée. Without you I wouldn't be here. So, thank you, for everything. For always supporting me and for giving me a new perspective in life. The perspective of a mother. Thank you all!")

Her speech made me miss her even more. I wanted to be there with her. Dancing in a crowded room, celebrating her victory, but I couldn't. Instead, I was sitting in our living room, crying my eyes out because of her speech.

Martina was awake on my lap. Watching as her mother won the award. She had been asleep for most of the night, but wanted to be fed as the winner was announced. It was amazing that she could watch it with me, and I knew Alexia would love it. Not that Martina would remember it, but her mothers would for sure.

I had invited Mapí over for dinner, and to watch the awards be handed out. Company was something I always longed now that I was home with Martina. I don't think I could have handled seeing Alexia win without company. I think the panic would have overtaken me. The panic that I was doing something wrong. I didn't want Martina to have to face me when I was like that.

"She won" Mapí laughed. "I'm so proud of her" I said with tears in my eyes. Martina was holding my finger, comforting me. It was amazing how such a little creature could make such big gestures. "You are such a big softy" Mapí complained. A smile played on her face, and she was moving to hold me and Martina.

"Hold the little one, I need to call Alexia" I said, handing Martina off to Mapí. She loved holding her favourite baby, and it was nice to not have to hold her for a while.

Me
I'm so proud of you!

Me
Call me when you can? I want to talk to my Ballon D'or winning fiancée

Alexia
I'll call you as soon as everything is over. Got to watch the men before I can head home.

Me
Text first then? Don't know if I'll be awake

Alexia
I'll be sure to do that

I walked out of the bedroom to Mapí. "That was a short call" Mapí said. "The award show isn't over, so all we could do was text" I complained. I needed a long call with Alexia, at least. I would prefer to have here with me, but she would return tomorrow, and that was enough.

Mapí left soon after, and I put Martina down for the night. I took a short shower, did my skincare and then I fell asleep. It was a deep slumber, and I slept for two hours before Martina woke up. I tried to get her back to sleep as fast as possible. I was so tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep. Luckily, she was easy to get to sleep right now.

Five minutes later I was back asleep, and this time, I slept for six hours. That was longer than I usually slept.

I felt a weight on top off me as I woke up. An arm slung across my stomach and a head on my chest. Alexia had returned. I placed a kiss on her cheek and carefully slid out from under her. She didn't wake up, and I could take care of our crying daughter. I didn't stay long, just enough to put her back to sleep. I needed to return to my fiancée. I had missed her terribly while she had been away, even though it hadn't even been for a day.

At nine, I woke up again. Alexia was still fast asleep when I woke up, and so was Martina.

I spent a few minutes looking at the brunette in my bed. The girl I was lucky to be in a relationship with. I felt her stir, her eyelids fluttering and limbs stretching. "Good morning love" I whispered and placed kisses all over her face. "I didn't expect you to get back home last night" I said with a smile. "I wanted to get back to you both" Alexia husked. "Martina was awake when I got back, so I fed and changed her before joining you in bed" Alexia continued.

I kissed her again, before going up to get Martina. She joined us in bed as we discussed the previous day. How she had won such a big award. And how I had cried when she did it. We talked about dinner with Mapí, and Martina growing bigger.

"Are you thinking about returning to training? I know you are medically cleared" Alexia asked. "I don't know. I hate being away from Martina" I confessed to Alexia. "I get it, she is so small and leaving her is hard for me, but I can skip training to take her if you want to join" Alexia offered. I shook my head. I wasn't ready to go back yet. Well, physically I was, but mentally I was still a mess.

Alexia left it like that, which I was grateful for. Our slow morning continued, with us going out for breakfast instead of cooking ourselves. Martina was asleep the entire time, and it felt almost like it did before Martina was born.

Our life had changed so much since Martina was born. It was a big change, but I loved it. Our family had grown bigger and was filled with a new kind of love. I loved it. 

@anaelisagarcía
The little one loved watching her mother win the Ballon D'or. We are both so proud of you Alexia!!

@danielagarcía
So proud of Alexia!

@alexiaputellas
I love you both!

@aitana.bonmati

@patri8guijarro
The little one is slowly but surely taking over your page!
^@anaelisagarcía
And you love it:)

@marialeonn16
The little one is the best company one could ever have! But you are even better to spend a night with!
^@anaelisagarcía
Lots of love from us both<3

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Okay I have a question for you all. I am working on writing a few one-shots, more chapters for this book, and another book. Would anyone be willing to proofread what I have written? I think it would be really beneficial for me and the quality of what I write. Being a proofreader also means that you get to read all chapters before everyone else!

With love from me!

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