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❝101 goals in the Champions League and the only one that matters is this one❞
“Lewandowski prepares to take the penalty. This could be his 100th goal in the Champions League, giving him entry into a prestigious club of which only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are members so far. He gets distance and manages to fool the goalkeeper. It's goal, ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI GOAAAL! BARCELONA ONE, BRESTOIS ZERO!”
He rises up in front of the Culers, growing proud at this new achievement, celebrating and celebrating. Camera flashes shine like stars, the cheers of the crowd become one, and his gaze is caught by the only person he cares about in the group of photographers. He hopes that person has seen him. He wishes that person had seen him.
He winks in that direction. They'll think he's posing for pictures, but his significant other will know full well that goal was dedicated to him in its entirety.
He brings his head back to the game, there's still some way to go in the most prestigious of European competitions. Another goal comes his way and he leaves Montjuic with a win, a brace, a personal record and the certainty that there will be someone waiting for him in the parking lot to celebrate with excitement, as he had been promised a nice dinner and one more gift.
He could not wait to hold Pablo Gavira in his arms.
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Pablo waited near the journalists and photographers. He himself carrying his employee card and his phone in hand, ready to record any circumstantial moment of the match. He was not intimidated by the big cameras around him or the people with years and years of experience, because he himself aspired to reach that position and the proof is the point where he is today.
A great friend he met in college was the one who got him the internship within the digital media and communication area of F.C. Barcelona. She knows how much of a fan he is of the club and what better way to give him a boost in his career than working directly with the team he loves. However, it was not an easy task to adapt to the environment of such a demanding entity as the Catalan one. Rotating from area to area being the intern on duty was exhausting, especially if you finally got used to one of them and the next day you were transferred to a new one.
Though, when he arrived in the filming and production area, he couldn't have fallen more in love with the job. He got a taste for filming different plays in matches, training sessions, behind the scenes with the players, because it was a way to be closer to the reason why he loves Barcelona. So much so, that he decided to learn more about filming on his own to get the best shots possible, using his free time to hone his technique. It was the only time he asked for more time in that area. And, well, maybe someone else encouraged him for days to generate that last ounce of confidence he needed before speaking up.
Oh, there's a closely guarded secret in the recesses of his person next to the “did I choose my career well?” questions. There's another reason he prefers filming and it has a first and last name.
Robert Lewandowski.
The story of how they met goes back months before he started his internship, specifically to September of last year. Life and its curious way of working made them coincide when Pablo got lost looking for the digital media offices and Robert was at the right time and place to help guide him through the unfamiliar facilities. The chemistry that grew out of that encounter is something that still has him hallucinating today. Two strangers in barely known territory and a fluctuating promise that ensured that was only the beginning.
The rest is history.
With the game over and his workday settled, the footage already uploaded to the page and a pleasant feeling for his performance, he walked hesitantly to the parking lot to wait for Robert. All the excitement he felt minutes before was slightly diminished by the big announcement he had in his hands. He stopped in front of the car and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
Yes, it would definitely be a life-changing announcement for both of them. He had days to reflect on the matter. A lot of things would come into play once he made it official, but, surprisingly, he wasn't afraid of the future at all. Sure, he was still a little scared, not only of his partner's reaction, but of what would happen in the months that followed.
Nevertheless, he wasn't going to lie and say that he hadn't fantasized about that scenario. Perhaps they would believe that because of his age he did not contemplate such a goal in the near future, and although he did not at first, he was now more than excited, brimming with hope at the thought of starting his own family. There would be changes in his life, of that he is aware, some more abrupt than others. However, nothing and no one can take this piece of happiness away from him. He will defend it tooth and nail.
He is prepared for what is coming. He believes.
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They both got into Robert's car waiting to arrive at the Lewandowski residence as soon as possible. The Pole tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, anxious for the surprise that Pablo promised him. Surprises have been given in the past as a reward for reaching an important milestone, not something new in their relationship. But, if the gaze of the youngest who played at looking anywhere in the car but at himself conveyed anything, it would be absolute uncertainty.
Gavi usually moved from side to side, energy oozing from him. Nevertheless, he entered the house without further ceremony, heading straight to the kitchen to heat up the dinner he prepared prior to leaving for the game. Robert closed the front door with more than just curiosity. Something didn't feel quite right, but how could he prove his hunch?
After setting and bringing the food to the table, they sat down to eat in silence. Silence that didn't last half a minute before Pablo assaulted him with questions and congratulations on the record he catched up. The Pole sighed with relief, there's his usual Gavi. He answered each of them in great detail, wanting to devote his full attention to his partner. He also asked him about his work in obtaining audiovisual material for the fan page and, with his chest puffed out with pride, he answered that he captured the best shots of the evening, especially those featuring the striker with the number “9” on his back.
They finished eating and the youngest took the plates away. He returned with a tray full of donuts that looked suspiciously familiar.
They had been dating for months, things were becoming more and more formal and Robert was inviting his boyfriend to spend the day at his house more and more often. Gavi had that season when he wanted to experiment with Polish gastronomy, inveterate in mastering the area and surprising the eldest with his creations.
It should be noted that things did not end so well at the beginning.
However, Robert could not stop his heart from beating wildly, drowning in love for the trouble Pablo took to please him. He got better and better at each recipe, striving to bring a piece of Poland to the table at home. His favorite was Polish-style doughnuts. He would make them without fail when there was something to celebrate or when he is in a good mood. Pablo has a certain fondness for the dessert because it was the first one he was able to prepare without help and the first one he didn't burn or leave half raw on his first attempt.
Lewandowski gets emotional every time he remembers that fact.
“I know you say my ponchuk are the best, so I thought them pertinent to the occasion.”
“Pączki, love. And yes, I will never tire of praising them for how good they are”, he savored the blackberry filling with utter delight, while Pablo pinched the crunchy almond on the topping, thoughtfully.
“Sorry, I have to practice my Polish. I think we will need it for next year.”
He found the statement interesting. Wanted to delve into its background.
“Why would it be necessary for next year?”
The Spaniard kept silent, preferring to eat another two pączki of three bites each and get up to go get something from the kitchen, again. That puzzled him.
When he returned, he placed in front of him a small packed box and a letter lying on top of it. He watched him, asking for answers with his gaze, but Gavi only encouraged with his hand to open the gifts.
Pablo couldn't stop the nervousness from crackling through his body, casually playing with his hands. Of that Robert could tell, quizzically.
He took the envelope first, expectant of what he might find inside. He is the one who usually writes letters to his beloved lavishing his love and joy at having him in his life, not the other way around. However, there is always a first time for everything and he will not oppose the initiative.
However, he found no love letter, only a sheet with results of a medical test. Something related to hCG was positive in his blood.
“Are you sick, Pablo?”, asked. His brow furrowed with deep concern.
“... I wouldn't call it ‘being sick’. I think you should open the other gift to interpret it.”
He reluctantly inspected the box covered in pastel red paper. He did not understand the connection between the present and the possibility that his partner was suffering from some silent virus. He tore open the wrapping, careful, limiting his movements for fear of what he might find.
They were baby slippers. Their color was green, similar to one of the kits they wear in the current season.
His entire periphery seemed to tremble, taking a longer time than he would have liked to analyze the implication. Solemnly slid his fingers over the packaging, still in disbelief that one of his greatest personal goals was finally materializing in front of him and he hadn't even been aware of it.
“Are you pregnant?”, the dizziness was palpable in his words.
Gavi nodded effusively, determination reflected in his posture.
“H-How?”
“Oh, come on, Lewy, I don't have to explain to you how babies are made, do I? You know, when a Polish bee decides to pollinate a flower from Seville because they love each other so much-”
Robert motioned for him not to continue with his explanation, extremely embarrassed. However, at that moment he finally remembered: they did not use protection a couple of months ago.
It was a day when Barcelona had a very good game. Robert scored a hat-trick and Pablo, for his part, passed with flying colors a college midterm in a class he wasn't doing so well in. The celebration they had that night was summed up to a meeting under the sheets of both of them where the rush was greater, being unable to take their hands off each other to go for the measly packet of condoms that awaited desolately on the dressing table in the bedroom.
As much as it burned him to part, he should have been responsible and gone for the contraceptive. The worst part of it was that they didn't make the effort to get a pill when they woke up, because they forgot about it the next day.
He had to heed that comment disguised as a joke that was thrown out by Pablo where he boasted that he is extremely fertile. It seems there was more truth to it than they both imagined. Than he imagined.
One child. A family. A bond. Hell, did Gavi even consider spending the next few years of his life by his side? He's still young, with many dreams and goals to achieve. Robert points closer and closer to the end of his career, ready to devote himself to other things, among them a hypothetical and longed-for family. Could their priorities be on the same page if they wanted to take the same step? He doesn't want to ruin Pablo, he would never forgive himself. He is the most precious thing he has in his life right now and he would not want to go against his goals in order to achieve his.
He would never force him.
“... Aren't you happy with the news?”
Pablo's voice, similar to the murmur of the light rain against the roof, managed to bring him out of his musings.
For his part, Pablo feared he had misrepresented the words Robert had one day confided to him. Ones that longingly exclaimed how much he longed to have a family, children running around his house going to greet him with excitement, little ones to whom he could read a bedtime story and forge new memories at his side, promising that the day he retired he would devote himself with dedication to his family. Pablo shared that thought as well, comfortable with an idea taking deeper and deeper root in his chest, painting himself in someone else's dream and wishing fervently to be the person Robert imagined in such scenarios.
Maybe, maybe-
Lewandowski rose from his seat and enclosed Pablo in a loving embrace, refusing to let him leave his side. The initial shock being replaced by raw, real happiness.
“How could I not be happy, moja gwiazda? You just made me the happiest man in the world. The real celebration today is that we are going to be parents”, he whispered in his ear as he lifted him off the ground. Gavi instinctively wrapped his legs around his waist.
“You didn't say a word to me! How did you want me to interpret your silence? For a moment I thought you didn't want this”, Robert denied in horror, unable to imagine rejecting Gavi and leaving him to his fate in such a situation.
“I'm sorry, love. To tell you the truth, we never discussed these kinds of future plans and I foolishly thought you wouldn't like being tied to me like that”, the Sevillian sniffled, pent-up emotions bubbling to the surface after feeling relief.
Robert sat him on the table, leaning over to cup Gavi's smooth cheeks and brush away with his thumbs the small tears that gathered on his skin.
“I wouldn't want to be a father to anyone else, only to you. Thank you for making my dream come true, Pablo. I love you. A lot”, he declared softly, himself struggling to maintain his composure. His broken voice proved otherwise.
“Silly, it's my dream too and I'm looking forward to it just as much as you are. I wouldn't let another man be the father of my children, Robert Lewandowski.”
He tried not to gloat at the statement, but failed. How could you control yourself when the love of your life bestows such wonder?
He brushed the hair away from his forehead to deposit a kiss on the silky expanse of skin. One more peck over the reddish tip of his nose, another pair on each blushing cheek and a final, most special one, on his mouth, intoxicating with the trail of blackberry on his lips. A sweet kiss, soft as the touch of a flower, trying to encapsulate his joy at receiving this blessing.
His star, his angel, gave him the best of gifts. Now it is up to him to take care of them with all his heart.
“How long have you known about it?”
“Mmm, about two weeks exactly. I was waiting for the perfect chance to announce it to you.”
“And what would have happened if I hadn't broken my record today?”, Gavi let out a giggle, pulling his beloved closer to melt again in an embrace. That joyful smile returned to his expression and he instinctively smiled himself.
“Oh, Robert. A little more self-confidence would do you good. I knew you'd make it, of that I never had any doubt. That and more is why I love you too.”
The Pole felt like the biggest winner of all. He has a beautiful Spaniard as a partner, skilled with the camera and with a promising future in marketing. He himself is taking an important role in his team, looking to achieve quite a few things during his time at the blaugrana institution. And now they will be parents of a beautiful baby and will finally have their long-awaited family. His life could not be better.
Soon he could start looking for a ring to match Gavi's beauty and take up again that idea, which one day he thought was crazy, of asking Pablo to marry him.
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Lewandowski would soon share a photo that would go around the world. Its content would be classified as a well-kept secret, as his life beyond the courts has been totally hermetic. To date, he was not known to have had any romantic partner since his arrival at Barcelona.
The image framed his hand next to another smaller one. Each held a little hand. The little hands of a pair of newborns.
“Welcome to the family, our little Lukasz and Kristofer ♥︎”