The Secret Between Us
Chapter 19

The next day

Toledo, Spain

Our new home, located just 71 kilometres from Madrid, is a city of less than a hundred thousand inhabitants, full of history and exquisite architecture. You could say that of all the places in the world, this would be the least likely place for them to look for us, after all, neither she nor I have any connection to this country, let alone this city. After picking up the car I had asked my friend to buy for me, I drove from Madrid until we finally arrived at the entrance to the secluded colonial-style house I had rented for a year with the option to buy it and stay here if things didn’t improve.

-It’s beautiful…” he comments as I approach the main entrance, “Are we going to live here? – he asks looking at me and smiled.

-Welcome to your new home my love,” I tell her and as soon as I park the car, I get out of it to go to her side and help her get out, “we don’t have to hide anymore,” I tell her once she gets out and looks around.

-I love it.

-It has that wall that keeps the privacy and will protect us if necessary,” I say pointing at the front of the house and the gate, “garden in the front, another one in the back, but that one has a pool,” I explain and she smiles.

-I love that it has a pool,” he says happily and that’s all I need to know that this is the best thing I’ve ever done for us.

-Three bedrooms, office, living room, kitchen and gym,” I say with enthusiasm.

-It’s perfect for the two of us,” she murmurs and throws her arms around my shoulders.

-Three,” I correct her, “We’ll be three,” I say and every time I think of our baby, I’m the happiest man on this planet.

-I can’t get used to the idea that we’re going to be dads,” she says shyly and I k**s her.

-I know… so long taking care of us and look, as much as we didn’t plan it, here it is,” I murmur, placing my hand on her belly and as always this special feeling comes over me.

-I’d love it to be a boy and look like you… I’d die if he had your eyes,” she confesses and I deny.

-Better a girl and beautiful like you, even if it means I have to protect her from all the fools who want to get close to her,” I joke and take her by the waist carefully as there are still some bumps that hurt, “Shall we go in better? – I propose and show her the keys.

-And the suitcases? –

-Let’s go and see the house,” I suggest and take her by the hand so that together we walk towards the door. As we enter the house, we find a beautiful Spanish colonial style interior that continues the trend of the exterior of the house and we are left speechless by its beautiful terracotta coloured tile floors, its dark wood furniture and wrought iron ornaments. Every detail is perfect, one by one her rooms and parts of the house follow a line of decoration that makes us feel the warmth of home that we didn’t want to lose and seeing her smiling the way she does right now, makes me understand that even if we have to fight against anything to be together, everything will be worth it to see her this happy – do you like it? – I ask her hugging her from behind and she nods.

-It’s amazing… thank you,” she murmurs and I k**s her neck.

-Why are you saying thank you? – I ask a little surprised.

-For rescuing me from what was waiting for me with him… for leaving everything,” she tries to say, but I feel her voice crack.

-Hey… you don’t have to thank me, you know I’d do anything for you and our son, besides, you know that I also had a nightmare waiting for me with her and if you’re talking about rescuing, I think we’ve rescued each other here,” I tell her hugging her a little tighter.

-They must be looking for us like crazy, do you think they’re going to find out that we’re together? – she asks.

-Actually, no one knew about the two of us and the only place where there are clues of what was between us, was our house, but I took care of destroying everything that could give them any clue,” I explain.

-What if my uncle investigates? –

-Let’s hope he doesn’t find anything, that’s all I can say…” I murmur and I really don’t know to what extent he’ll be able to find out and even less if he’ll try to find us, “let’s stop thinking about all that and enjoy this freedom, do you think? – I suggest and he nods, “I’ll go and get our bags so we can get settled and you can take a shower if you want, just wait here for me, okay? – I ask.

-But let me help you, if nothing else,” he asks and denies.

-No, no… you can’t make any effort,” I remind him and take his hand to k**s it and I smile at him, “I love you,” I repeat and under the charm of that smile full of happiness, I start to get our suitcases to settle in our new home, one where I hope we can be happy and as free as we always dreamed and be able to build a life together hoping that our love will still be our best secret, at least until our son is born and we can face things in a different way.

I know that, despite this kind of freedom, things will not be easy, but I also know that I am willing to fight day by day for this family that we are both forming and that has always been our dream, one that we put off for a long time, but that life took care of telling us that the time has come to think about us and not about what others expect from us or about the life we should have. For the first time our relationship will be the way we want it to be without having to hide behind four walls, I will finally be able to take her by the hand and walk with her without fear that someone will see us and separate us forever. This is happiness for me, the rest doesn’t really matter to me anymore.