12 years later

- How did you meet Mum, Dad? Julio asked as he sat on Gabrielo's lap.

- It's a long story," Gabrielo replied.

- Never mind," Bella urged. There's plenty of time.

Julio nodded vigorously before coming to rest his head on my thighs. I stroked his hair, remaining silent. I do want to know. I totally forgot and it seems that Gabrielo doesn't want to enlighten me.

He sighed before taking Bella and placing her on his available thigh. Cordelia returns with popcorn and chips. She settles down with Mateo on the armchair, smiling. These two have practically been living together since they became a couple. I have a feeling it's going to last.

Speaking of love, all my children have a specific profile. Iyan doesn't even try to approach girls and seems to have a certain aversion to them. This is probably because of Isla, who gave him a hard time during their childhood.

Isla, on the other hand, attracts a considerable amount of boys, especially older ones. She likes the attention and the benefits it brings her. Although her father doesn't really like it.

Julio, on the other hand, can't make up his mind and prefers to have a girlfriend for every day at his young age. This is a shame, but his situation seems to suit everyone. Franco is also a heartbreaker, but no one seems to interest him more than his equally successful sister Bella, with whom he plays dirty tricks on everyone.

Max doesn't even seem to realise how much attention he is getting. He lives from day to day without worrying about anything. He is as popular as innocent.

Cordelia is the only one with a stable relationship. They should all follow her example. Even my husband says so. And he was the one who spent the night hiding his tears the day Cordelia told him she was going out with Matheo.

I'll never forget how he sulked for 3 days after Cordelia's announcement. He even refused to go to work and leave the house.

- It was during the holidays," I said thoughtfully. "Probably around the end of high school. I remember, because at that time we had gone to London with my father because he had business there.

"I had just arrived and was visiting with my brother when his best friend called him. He wanted him to join him for a drink with some girls. I refused, but was dragged away. We all ended up at a huge party at his friend's house.

I stayed away until I heard the noise of an argument," I continued, unable to stop smiling. "Your mother was having an argument with some idiot who wanted to take her away to have a talk. He tried to force her until she slapped him."

Alma's melodious laughter echoes around the room. I stare at my wife as we remember our first meeting. The one who proved to me that she was the one for me. The one and only, even though she had no idea.

- I remember," Alma laughs, taking my hand. " That was you, wasn't it?"

- Of course it was me," I exclaimed, kissing her fingers. "That's why I went to the bar on our wedding night. I heard that one girl looked exactly like the one from seven years ago. I decided to go and meet you that night."

- Daddy! " Julio calls out. "What's next?

- I'm getting there, calm down. You really do sound like your mother," I mumbled.

- Excuse me?" Alma asked with a raised eyebrow.

Alma asked, raising her eyebrows.

- "No, nothing. So I was saying, Alma slapped the boy in the face before turning around and sitting at my table. The same boy came back to her, except this time she approached me."

- "Please act," she begged. "I swear I'll make it up to you.

- "Alma, how about accepting my company? That kid next to you looks as annoying as your sister," the boy mocked in front of us.

Alma stood up before throwing the punch bowl in his face. The boy grunted as he realised what Alma had done. He grabbed her wrists before she kicked him in the crotch. He screamed in pain. Alma laughed and took my hand before dragging me after her.

- We should be safe here," she huffed. Sit down.

I looked at her without saying anything. Who is this girl? And why did she drag me with her? I was fine there.

- Come on, sit down," she says, forcing me to sit down. Enjoy the view.

What view?

I turn and see the city below us. The passers-by are mere little black dots on the road. Everything seems so far away and close at the same time. This landscape is breathtaking. I can hear the laughter of passers-by and snatches of conversation. The smell of food and alcohol mixes and forms a sweet and sour aroma.

- It's beautiful, isn't it? Alma asked as she stood next to me. Follow me, I'll show you a place to take your mind off things.

- I'm very well, thank you," I refused without moving.

- You look like you'll jump out of here if I leave you alone. Come on, follow me. It'll be cool, you'll see!

She grabs my arm before running down the stairs and into the street. It's already dark. The passers-by are all in a hurry and the smell of food from the restaurants fills the streets.

Alma speeds up and steps into a bush. I don't have any time to stop and close my eyes quickly.

A new scenery faces me. Bright, warm and childlike.

- Are we in an amusement park? I asked in amazement.

- Not really," she replied, heading straight for the park. I want to go to the shooting booth!After that, the two of us spent the evening laughing and having fun. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that I went home. It was the first time I felt like I belonged. Like everything was fine while I was with a stranger.

- What's your name," Alma suddenly asked.

- Gabrielo. What's yours?

- I'll tell you my name later," Alma said. When we meet next time. Call me whatever you like for now.

- I'll call you Stellina then. A little star like the one you showed me.

Alma smiled at me before continuing on. We continued our nightly excursions for another fortnight and then I returned to New York."

I never thought to ask Alma her first name at that point, but I should have. Anyway. That's all history now that we're married and parents.Alma shakes my hand and beckons me upstairs later. It looks like I'm going to have a good time tonight.

- Go to your rooms, kids," I said, getting up in a rush. I still have some work to do for tomorrow.

Alma laughed as the children cleared the room.

- I never thought you were that boy," she said in surprise.

- Of course you didn't. I had a growth spurt right afterwards, my beard started growing and I changed my clothing style. I finally cut my much too long hair, I started to do my hair and above all, I changed for the better," I say, kissing her.

- I love you," my wife says, kissing me.

- I love you too," I say, holding her close.