35

As I gazed at my promise ring on my finger, I wondered how it was possible for to actually have someone in my life who wanted me.
I was happy. I was finally happy with someone who understood me and I knew was never going to let me down.
I was at peace. I was finally at peace knowing that whatever came my way I could fight it off. I was finally free.
I felt so much better after that day with Cristiano. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I no longer had to carry so many burdens. I was at rest. I felt good - it was nice to feel good with myself.
I was with someone.
I was dating Cristiano - I was his girlfriend and he was my boyfriend. It was crazy to me how it was even possible that we were together. I felt so much better with him. I wanted to be with him and I wanted our relationship to grow.
I even started to have dreams about our future. I no longer had nightmares or weird dreams, they were always good.
And the best thing was being able to wake up in his arms with his sweet kisses. I loved it.
I smiled happily as he continued to leave little kisses on my shoulder, my eyes still on my ring.
"-are we gonna tell the guys? I can't wait to show you off to the world." I chuckled softly, feeling comfy in his warm embrace. He left a kiss on my jaw, going back to my neck.
"Maybe when Gage gets back," I replied, sighing softly in peace. "It's better to tell all of them together. You can do it."
"Me?" He repeated in disbelief, his voice muffled in my neck. "Both of us."
I shook my head, turning so I was facing him. "No, I'm too shy. You do it." He rolled his eyes, a playful smile on his handsome face.
"You know you owe me head."
"Head? Well, then you do too."
"Oh, really?" He asked in disbelief, leaning in a little closer.
"Yes, really," I replied with a playful smile, my leg moving to his body and he pulled me closer, his hand resting on my butt. He slapped it gently.
"Is this real?"
I rolled my eyes, giving him a sarcastic look. "Ha. Ha. Funny, Cristiano. Of course it's real. I'd never do surgery."
"Hmm. . ."
I rolled my eyes again, chuckling as I hit him with a pillow. "Shut up."
My phone started to ring and I reached over, about to grab it until Cris pulled me back. "No, baby."
I groaned, rolling my eyes as I squirmed around. "Stop, Cris! I need to get my phone! No one calls me so this must be important."
"Ha! Loser!"
"Shut up! Babe, let me go!" I impatiently asked, trying my hardest to reach my ringing phone.
"Say the word."
"Oh, for goodness' sake! I am not saying - let me go!"
"Say it, Rose," he taunted in a singsong tone. I groaned, continuing to reach for my phone that was going to stop ringing at any moment.
"Say it, Rosalia."
I grabbed my phone, quickly answering before it stopped. Breathlessly, I greeted, "Hello!"
Ha!
I glared down at Cris who lifted my shirt and started sucking and kissing my stomach. I rolled my eyes, sighing silently.
"Hello? Is this Rosalia?"
"Uh, yeah. . .who's on the phone?" I asked cautiously, earning a curious look from Cris.
"C'est Maya." {it's Maya}
"Oh! Maya! Bonjour, comment avez-vous eu mon numéro? Oh comment vas tu?" I asked in shock, my voice completely changing. {Oh! Maya! Hi, how did you get my number? Oh, how are you?}.
"I'm fine, Rose. Disons juste, il a fallu un certain temps pour vous trouver," she chuckled, her voice bringing back memories. {let's just say, it took a while to find you}.
Cristiano's head rose and he looked at me in utter confusion. His jaw dropped.
"What's up? Are you still living in France?" I asked, smiling a little at the thought of my childhood friend.
"Oui, mais j'ai déménagé à Paris," she responded, chuckling softly. {yes, but I moved to Paris}. "j'aimerais rattraper mais j'ai bientôt un rendez-vous pour une échographie, donc je n'ai pas beaucoup de temps." {I would love to catch up but I have an ultrasound appointment soon, so I don't have much time}.
"Tu es enceinte?" I exclaimed in surprise, a wide smile growing on my face. {you're pregnant!}.
"Oui, three months," she responded and I was sure she was smiling.
"Oh, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" I gasped suddenly as Cris poked my side, causing me to let out a small squeal at the tickle.
"Désolé, mon copain m'a chatouillé," I told her, rolling my eyes at Cris who went to kiss my hand as I sat up. {sorry, my boyfriend tickled me}. I couldn't help but smile at him; the man was something else.
"It's okay," Maya responded, chuckling a little. "I was actually calling to ask you something."
"That's fine, what's up?" I asked, curious to know.
"Juliet."
I closed my eyes, tensing up at Cris's bite on my nipple. I pushed him away, giving him a 'I'm not in the mood' look. He looked me in wonder, his eyes filled with concern. I pulled my shirt down.
I swallowed roughly at the sound of her name. "Á propos d'elle?" {what about her?} I questioned, my voice no longer sweet.
"C'est bientôt son anniversaire et elle a eu une année si difficile alors je me suis dit. ." {it's her birthday soon and she's had such a rocky year so I thought. .} Maya trailed off, her voice hesitant.
"I've had a rocky childhood," I replied bitterly at the thought of her. "When was she there for my birthdays? You know, the ones I spent alone, cold and upset? The ones where no one cared enough just to say a little 'happy birthday'? Where I spent my sweet sixteen, giving a man head instead of blowing out my candles at a party. When was she there, Maya? I can't. I'm sorry but I can't. You should go to your ultrasound then find someone else to cheer her a happy birthday because I can't. It hurts too much."
Then I hung up, not wanting to hear anything else. I tossed my phone to the other side of the bed and sighed running my hand through my hair. I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly as I tried to forget all the painful memories.
"Baby?"