All I Want is You

by Patricia Mar

  She had finally seen the only possible truth.

  Sara was Daniel’s haven, just as he was hers. Until that moment, she had thought that they came from two different planets, like Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen in Starman. Daniel was the alien who had appeared out of the blue for her. They had fallen profoundly in love, but in the end their diversities were so profound that they just couldn’t be together. Sara had always expected that at the end of the story she would have to eventually help Daniel get back to his original planet, because they just couldn’t live on the same one.

  Things weren’t going to go like that film though. She had acknowledged her responsibilities in falling in love with him, and knew that she also had to accept some sacrifices for the sake of their relationship.

  She felt as if she’d suddenly been freed from an unbearable burden, and she was so happy that she started jumping on her bed. Her sister looked at her in disbelief.

  “Have you completely lost your mind?”

  “Don’t you see? He loves me and I love him!”

  “I know, so what’s the surprise?”

  “Now I know exactly what it means and what I have to do!” she said, pulling her sister’s arm. “Come here.”

  Virginia found herself standing on her sister’s bed too. “Are you joking?”

  “Come on, let’s do a bed trampoline like we used to when we were kids! Don’t you remember when we used to wait for Santa Claus? Well, I’ve just received the best present of my life and I don’t want to waste another second being miserable!”

  Sara rushed over to the wardrobe, took out a pair of jeans and a pullover and was about to take her pyjamas off when her phone rang.

  *

  “Nice work! Really, I mean it,” said Alessandro, putting his feet up on the coffee table. He crossed his legs and arms and stared at Daniel, who was walking up and down in front of him.

  He was so anxious that he couldn’t stand still for a moment, and his hair was so messy that you might have thought he’d been in a wind tunnel.

  “Do you think I went over the top?”

  “You only scared her to death. You had been thinking about all this stuff for weeks and had kept silent, then all of a sudden, you explode and hit her with it all, full in the face, as graceful as a vomiting elephant. You should have been more careful. Sara isn’t an easy person to convince.”

  “Shit, I know that!”

  “Oh yeah, come on, I love it when you talk dirty…”

  “Oh, cut it out.”

  “Are you sure your cousin isn’t going to pop up while you’re in the middle of your confession?”

  “Nah, Giovanni’s pissed off already.”

  Alessandro burst out laughing and interlaced his fingers behind his neck. “So he stayed long enough to create some trouble and then went back home. Amazing. He’s like one of those characters that authors invent with the sole purpose of causing problems between the protagonists, and then they make them disappear when they’re not needed any more.”

  “Can you stop talking crap? We were talking about Sara and me.”

  “That’s the only thing we ever do talk about! Where has my self-assured mate Daniel gone, I wonder? Is he in Tibet? Disneyland? Machu Picchu?”

  “He just fell in love and lost the ability to live normally without ending up in trouble,” Daniel replied, running his fingers through his hair and messing it up even more.

  “Maybe you could try and imagine being in her shoes for a moment.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “She’s the one who’ll have to change every aspect of her life to be with you. You’re not going to have to go through anything particularly difficult, are you? Well, except finally losing your virginity that is.” He dodged the cushion Daniel threw at him. “Seriously though, what is actually going to change for you?”

  “Well…” Daniel stuttered, unable to answer his friend’s question.

  Alessandro continued staring at him. “She’s going to have to quit her job, and most likely leave Rome, to follow you wherever you decide to take her. I’m sure a lot of women would sell their soul to the devil for a life like that – but Sara isn’t that kind of woman. Those kind of changes are a big deal for her. She doesn’t like living in the spotlight and showing off her beauty. She doesn’t even wear make-up a lot of the time! She’s a simple girl, and that’s probably one of the things you like most about her. But I shouldn’t even need to tell you all these things, because…”

  “Because I already know them all…” he said and threw himself down on the sofa next to his friend. “I acted like a real idiot,” he said, holding his face with his hands and staring at the floor. “I was selfish. I asked her to give up her whole life for me, but I didn’t offer to make any kind of sacrifice for her in exchange.”

  “Yeah. And you’ve never really had to compromise in your life, at least since you became famous, am I right?”

  “Everything’s different now, though. I love her.”

  “Well, prove it to her. Show her that you’re willing to give up something in order to have her in your life.”

  Daniel looked at him, his face half surprised and half sad. “Since when are you such an expert on women and love anyway?”

  “The fact that I don’t want to commit to a woman doesn’t mean that I don’t observe them and listen to them… and anyway, I’ve always been extremely intelligent.”

  “Don’t forget humble too.”

  “Very humble, I can’t deny it,” Alessandro chuckled, before adding in a serious tone. “So what are you planning to do?”

  “I’m going to talk to her. I won’t force her to do anything. I’m going to accept any decision she might make, without putting any pressure on her… and if I really have to, I’ll give up everything for her. I have plenty of savings anyway, and a few proposals I could take into consideration…”

  “Hold on, slow down – what are you going to do?” Alessandro opened his eyes wide. “What are you talking about?”

  Daniel smiled, finally calm and resolute: “I am going to do anything I can to make this relationship work – anything!”

  *

  “Grandma!” exclaimed Sara in surprise, sitting back down on her bed. Virginia gave her a surprised look and went into the other room.

  “Hello love, how are you? It’s been a while.”

  “How come you’re still awake? It’s half past eleven already!”

  “I’m about to have an all night marathon of Earth 2. Do you know it? It’s a TV sci-fi show.”

  Sara smiled. “Ok then! How did you know that I was awake too?”

  “You know that I’ve got a sixth sense… Or maybe I just missed the sound of your voice.”

  “You’re the best, do you know that?”

  “It runs in the family, my love. Did you want to talk to me too, the way my sixth sense suggested?”

  “Oh, yes, it’s never mistaken!”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Daniel and I had an argument a few hours ago. It was really sad… I felt like we’d never been so far from each other, even if we were hugging all the time.”

  “What did you argue about?”

  Sara told her everything. Her grandmother Glicine was the person she was most comfortable talking to, even more than Virginia. They understood each other perfectly.

  “Did you know that Daniel and I had an interesting conversation when you came over for Christmas?”

  “No, I didn’t know.”

  “That boy is really scared of losing you. He’s a strong, successful man, but he’s also very insecure and afraid of not being enough for you. You’re such a down to earth person, a woman who never acts on her impulses. You can sometimes be a bit inflexible, and everybody knows that your need to have everything in your life under control comes from the need you feel to protect yourself. You need to provide yourself with the stability your family never gave you. Sometimes that doesn’t let you enjoy life to the fullest, though, because you can
never really feel carefree. So listen to me: you’re in love with Daniel, just let yourself go for once. Don’t overthink everything. You can’t avoid the change, so stop trying or you’ll get hurt.”

  Glicine’s voice was simultaneously tender and resolute.

  “I’ve already thought a lot about it, Grandma, and I came to the same conclusion. My life needs some changes, and I absolutely don’t want to lose Daniel. I’ll have to change the way I live, but I can still be myself, in whatever new circumstances I find myself in. I’ll still be the same old stubborn Sara, I’ll still try and control Daniel, and he’ll put up with me, because he’s a very patient man and he accepts me for what I am. I want to be his shelter when the spotlights are off, his home when he needs some rest. Nothing will make me feel useless or inferior, though. He’s part of me now, without him I’d be only half of myself. I’m going to quit my job and go with him,” she announced, sounding very emotional. “I’m going to be his wife, Grandma.”

  “I’m so proud of you, love. You two are going to have a wonderful life. I really like Daniel – and I’m not just talking about his appearance!”

  Sara laughed happily. “I know, Grandma. But I want to go and talk to him now, though. I want to tell him everything I just told you, in person.”

  “Go ahead, love. Go and be happy!”

  “I’ll do my best! Thank you, Grandma.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Sara grabbed her bag and jacket and was just about to put her phone in her pocket when she received a voice message on WhatsApp. She stared at the screen, unable to decide if she wanted to listen to it or not. In the end, she decided she would.

  You’re probably asleep already, I don’t know. I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about you and I wish you were here in my bed with me, or that I was there with you… I want to apologise. I was insensitive. I was only thinking about my needs and what I want. I was selfish and stupid, I’m so sorry my love. But you know that I’m not very good at talking… The truth is that I’m scared of losing you, and when I panic I say stupid things. But all I want is to make you happy. You are the first person that I’ve ever really felt I belong with, and this new emotion is still really confusing for me. It makes me feel very strong and desperately weak at the same time.

  I realised that you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with as soon as I met you. And with you I opened up in a way I never had before. I know that I sound like some love struck teenager, but I don’t care, because my heart starts racing every time I see you. You’re my first true love, and I want to be with you with all my body and soul. I can never stop thinking about you, you’re inside my head. My hands want to feel you, although they already know and remember every centimetre of your body. I miss your skin. You’re my only home, and I will be there, wherever you are.

  You belong to me just like I belong to you. I want to be the only one who will ever touch you, give you joy, make love to you, make you laugh, smile, dream and breathe.

  I would never want you to change because of me. I love you because you’re so unique, and precious. I love you now and I always will, and that’s why I’m willing to do whatever you want. I’ll quit my job, if you want me to. I’ll tell them all to piss off, the only thing I care about is being able to be with you.

  I know that I should have probably waited to see you in person, but I was afraid that I would get scared and forget something. I guess I’m still shy, or maybe just stupid. I love you.

  Sara couldn’t stop crying. She hadn’t moved while she’d listened to his words, and she was so amazed that she couldn’t smile even though she was bursting with happiness. She couldn’t wait for her new life to begin!

  She put her jacket on and rushed out of the room, sweeping past a surprised Virginia.

  “Hey, where are you going?”

  But the sound of the front door slamming shut behind Sara was the only answer.

  25

  The Showdown

  There she was, standing by the main door of that elegant apartment building frantically rummaging around in her bag for her keys. She had left in such a rush that she had forgotten to bring her umbrella, and it was still pouring with rain.

  As usual, there’d been no free parking spots near the building, so she’d had to leave the car a few blocks away and walk. She had walked as fast as she could, but the rain was really heavy and now she was completely soaked, and her hair was stuck to her face.

  She finally found the keys and ran upstairs, happier than ever to be able to hug him. He would make her feel at home again.

  She opened the door and, for once, didn’t care if Spank was ready to attack her.

  The lights in the hall were still on and she prepared to sneak in and surprise her fiancé… Her nose didn’t agree, though, and chose that moment to make her sneeze five times in a row. Daniel heard the noise and peered around to see what was happening. When he saw she was there, he jumped to his feet and ran happily over to greet her.

  “You’re drenched!” he said and proceeded to undress her until she was clad only in a black chemise and her underwear. He took her to the bathroom, followed by a very curious Spank, who didn’t dare approach them.

  “Hold on,” Sara said, with her hand on his chest, “I heard your message.” She could feel the warmth of his body, and it reassured her.

  Daniel gave a shy smile and blushed lightly. He had never appeared so sweet and fragile in her eyes.

  “Everything I said is true, Sara,” he said, taking her hand in his. “I’m going to accept fewer jobs abroad, that way I will have more time to spend at home, and we will be able to get married. You can continue working as a tour guide, if that makes you happy, and—”

  “Shush!” she said, closing his mouth with her free hand. “You’ve said enough, it’s my turn to talk now.”

  Daniel stopped speaking, as she asked, and waited to hear what she had to say, while his heart began beating faster and faster.

  “I think you are perfect as you are: self-assured, determined, stubborn, but also sweet and generous. I don’t want to change anything about you or your life. You’ve proved to me how important I am to you, and that’s enough for me. Before hearing your message, I had already realised that my job wasn’t what I really needed to be happy. Hearing that you were willing to give up your career for me proved I was absolutely right. What I want is to always be with you, here or wherever you prefer.”

  Daniel smiled, his cheeks revealing two adorable dimples.

  “You don’t need to turn down any jobs or give up your career… I, on the other hand, am going to quit my job as a tourist guide to become your full time assistant, which means that I’ll make you work even harder. You’ll have to give me a fabulous salary, and I’ll have two free days a week, because I need to spend some time with my husband! My contract will have to be absolutely by the book, you’ll have to pay all taxes due. I am also going to make a sacrifice and freshen up my wardrobe, because I’ll have to attend tons of boring parties. And on those occasions, I am going to be stuck to your arm like glue! Imagine one of those rocks you used as background for that shoot you did: well, I’ll be stuck to you like the mussels that were stuck to that rock. And if that isn’t enough, I am going to attach a sign on your forehead that says ‘My husband: keep your hands off’. That way any Delia Marquezes that happen along will know to steer clear from you. So, in summary, to inaugurate our new life together, we’re going to Australia for Saint Valentine’s Day.”

  Daniel had been laughing through all her speech and when she finished he hugged her tightly, picked her up off the ground and spun her around while he kissed her greedily.

  They continued kissing for a very long time until she couldn’t help sneezing again.

  “You are going to catch a cold, my love,” he said while taking her into his arms again, much to her joy. The big decision had been finally taken, and she now felt totally at peace and complete. This was the most i
mportant moment of her life, she was in no doubt about it. This time her fairy tale was actually about to begin, and she would be no Cinderella, but one of two equals who were choosing to form a couple. They would love each other as peers, and would sacrifice and compromise, if needed, for the sake of their relationship. And when or if it happened, they wouldn’t even feel regret, because the only way for them to feel free and happy was by being together.

  Daniel fetched a big towel and started drying her hair and then the rest of her body, while kissing her cool skin.

  Sara loved it when he pampered her like that. Daniel took her chemise off and she looked at him mischievously, so he decided to free her from her bra too.

  He then moved to her jeans, unzipping them and pulling them down to her feet. Sara regretted being dressed so casually, but Daniel always managed to make everything appear terribly sexy, even her Reebok sneakers. He took her jeans and shoes off, moving and touching her in a gentle, sensual way.

  Daniel started gently caressing her legs, sending a million shivers of pleasure up her spine. He started from her ankles and moved upwards with his hands, until he reached the edge of her panties, then he pulled them down as slowly as possible, as her breathing became shorter and shorter.

  She grabbed Daniel’s hair and pulled up his head until he was looking at her. “Are you trying to torture me?” she moaned in an agonised voice.

  “Yes, for the whole night, slowly and with the devotion you deserve. I am going to kiss every centimetre of your body, because for tonight, it’s mine,” he said in a hoarse, deep voice while he stared at her with those inescapable, penetrating eyes of his.

  He kept his word and subjected her to all kinds of pleasure, showing her all his love with words and kisses, whispering tender promises in her ears and caressing her tenderly. And after Sara and Daniel climaxed together, they stayed immobile, hugging one another, kissing and cuddling. Outside the wind kept howling and the silence of the night was broken by occasional peals of thunder.