- Are you sulking? Gabrielo asks, wrapping his arms around me.

I give him a sideways glance before going back to playing with Lia. What a jerk! How dare he say that to me when it' s his fault I'm like this now!

- I'm sorry. I swear to you I'm sorry. I said it without thinking.

- If you said it, it's because you thought it," I replied as we went up to our room.

- Alma, listen to me.

- No, you listen to me. Since I'm so fat, you can sleep in the guest room where there's more room and I can sleep with Cordelia. Good night.

I'm slamming the door in his face.

- We sleep? Lia asks, tilting her head to one side.

- We'll wash up first. Then we'll go to sleep.

- And the mister?

- Leave him alone, he's a big boy. He can look after himself. Shall we go?

__________

The next morning, Cordelia woke me up at seven to go and play. I'm willing to take her parents' place, but we're going to have to set up some rules. I'm heavily pregnant, I need my sleep and the baby is getting heavier and heavier. My sleep is pri-mor-dial.

- Honey, I need to get some more sleep, please," I pleaded, looking at the child in front of me.

- But it's already sunny," she said, making puppy eyes. It's time to get up.

I sighed as I sat down on the bed.

- It's time to get up," I breathed, carrying her in my arms. What do you want to eat?

- Brioche and hot chocolate!

- Is that all?

Lia nods and smiles. I walk into the kitchen and see Gabrielo reading the paper. I had forgotten that he was an early riser. He looks up and smiles when he sees us. He stands up and takes Cordelia from my arms.

- What's the matter? I asked as I let him do it.

Cordelia gives him a confused look and opens her arms to return with me.

- Cordelia," Gabrielo calls softly. You'll crush the baby if you don't stop being carried by Alma. You don't want that to happen, do you?

- No," Lia replies, shaking her head.

- I'll carry you if you want, but no more carrying for Alma. Come on.

Cordelia wraps her arms around Gabrielo's neck. I go to the cupboards to get out some food. A mocaccino for my husband and a hot chocolate and brioche for my new daughter. I serve them everything and start drinking my juice with my pain au chocolat.

- Ahhh," Lia says, handing Gabrielo a piece of brioche.

He opens his mouth without thinking and she stuffs a piece of brioche inside. Lia giggles and fidgets in her chair. I smile when I see them both. They look like father and daughter.

- Alma?

- Hm?

- Are you still mad at me?

- Yes. You still called me fat when I'm over four months pregnant.

- I swear I was joking. And technically I just said you got fatter than I thought.

Silence.

- Can I come back and sleep with you?

I glance at Lia who nods. 

- My mummy used to say that you shouldn't go to sleep when you're angry," she says. If you do, you'll regret it later.

I nod and get up to clear away, but Gabo beats me to it. He finishes tidying up and sits down next to me, putting a hand on my stomach. He strokes it and I feel a jolt.

- It moved," Gabrielo exclaims with a huge smile on his face.

- It's the first time I've felt it," I smiled, putting my hand on his. It seems that the baby prefers his father.

- Me too," Cordelia exclaims and holds out her little hand. Gabrielo puts her on his lap so that she can touch my belly.

She flinches when she feels the blow before turning back to me with bright eyes.

- When are we going to see the baby? Tomorrow? she asks, holding my hand.

- A long time from now, Lia. Today we're going to the doctor to see the baby. Do you want to come?

- Yes!

- Then we are going to get you all dressed up.

We go upstairs to get ready. I finish dressing Cordelia and give her a kiss on the cheek. She starts to laugh out loud while holding her cheeks. This child is simply adorable. How can I resist her adorable face?

- Let's go, little princess," says Gabrielo, putting her on his shoulders.

I follow them out of the house and get into the car. We go straight to the obstetrician. She lays me on the bed and starts applying the cold gel to my belly.

- Let's see. Do you want to know the gender of the child?

I glance at Gabrielo who answers for me.

- We'd rather have the surprise when the baby is born.

- That's fine. The baby is very healthy. It moves well and is growing well. That's all for now. Keep it up and you'll be fine.

- Thank you very much, doctor.

I wipe my stomach and sit up.

- I have a question," Gabrielo intervenes, approaching the doctor to whisper in his ear.

- Of course you can," the doctor replies, laughing.

- I knew it! he exclaims with a smile. You can do sports.

- Ah yes. . Great," I say in defeat. Goodbye doctor!

We leave the office and Gabo is still as happy as ever.

- Cordelia, do you want to go to the zoo? I asked as I fastened her belt.

- To see the animals?

- Of course. How about it?

- I wanna go to the zoo. Can we have cotton candy?

- As you wish. Let's go, Mister Sportsman.

- You're going to do it too.

- With that belly. Even if you paid me millions, I wouldn't move.

- Alma, it's good for your health," Gabrielo countered.

- Of course it is. I'm on maternity leave. I intend to make the most of it. Just so we're clear, I'm not going to do any sports.

___________________________________

We had an amazing day. We really did.

Even Cordelia fell asleep on the way over and we let her sleep alone in an adjacent room. And then Mila and Carmen stormed into our room just as I was about to sleep. How convenient.

- Can't it wait until tomorrow? I asked, on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

- No!" Mila cried, walking towards us.

I put my head on Gabrielo's shoulder, hoping to fall asleep despite the noise in the house.

- What's going on? Gabo asks, glaring at Mila.

- I-I. .

- Just talk. If you have nothing to say, you know where the door is.

- Alexia. She came with a child. She said he was James'.

- Finally," I said, yawning.

- What do you mean 'finally'? Mila asks as she approaches me.

- That story happened three years ago. I knew about it, but I never said anything. Keeping this child was up to her and nobody else. She just came to claim what he owed her for years.

- Alma, you don't understand. My marriage is really going to fall apart this time. He'll have to marry her.

- So what? I replied. I have nothing to do with that. It's none of my business.

- Alma. Help me, please," begged Mila.

- You want help? Give her a spare room while you wait. I'll take care of the rest in the morning.

Mila and Carmen finally leave our room, which Gabo gets up and locks.

- What's on your mind now? he asks, kissing me.

- For the moment: nothing.

- Did you call this girl here ?

- To be honest, I didn't even know where she was. I will think about it, the night is long. 

- And a night of love only lasts a moment, so let me enjoy it.