How Soon Is Now

Part Two - Chapter Three: The Christening

“Doesn’t she look so cute?” Flori Torres gushed moving to cuddle her newest grandchild, she was so happy for Fernando and she knew that this was just the start for him; she had never seen him this happy before.

Nicola smiled greeting her mother-in-law, she held Charlotte close smoothing out her daughter’s ivory silk Christening dress; she was surprised how quickly this second event had come around.

Flori and José had arrived only days ago and had been quick to help out in any way possible, they were so happy and Fernando’s siblings had been very welcoming when they had arrived as well.

“She’s as beautiful as her madre is,” Fernando replied walking into the room in his suit, he smiled at Nicola who looked simply beautiful in her dusky pink embellished lace dress paired with peep toe heeled shoes; he didn’t think that he had ever seen anyone who was that beautiful.

Israel chuckled at his younger brother, he had never seen Fernando like this before but he knew that it was nice to see; he had worried that Olalla would have changed him and it was nice to see that she hadn’t.

Nicola kissed Fernando as she handed their daughter over, she smoothed down her own dress a little nervous since she was still carrying a bit of baby weight; she felt self-conscious even if Fernando did keep telling her that she looked beautiful.

“Come on you two… we have to get to the church,” Flori called moving to pick up her bag as Maria Paz appeared with Nora, she smiled at her oldest granddaughter knowing that everything had worked out.

Fernando grinned as he collected his car keys and handed Charlotte back to her mother, he had a good feeling about today and he knew that he would be seeing a lot of his old friends.

It felt strange that Fernando didn’t get to see them all of the time, he did miss spending most of his days with his friends but that had ended when his career had.

***

Steven Gerrard slowly approached Fernando, he hadn’t believed it when he had received the invitation to the Christening of Charlotte Torres but he knew that he couldn’t have been happier for his friend.

“Nando,” Steven greeted with a smile, it had been a beautiful little ceremony and he knew that things had changed so much in the past two years for the both of them.

Alex had popped away to the bathroom and Steven had taken the chance to approach his close friend, he smiled watching Fernando with Charlotte and he looked so happy.

“Stevie it’s good to see you again,” Fernando greeted with a nod of his head, he peeked over at Nicola who was talking to one of his cousins; he was glad that things seemed so calm today.

Steven looked down at the little girl in Fernando’s arms, the deep brown hair that could have only come from Fernando’s side of the family making him smile at that fact but there is also so much of her mother in her.

“And this must be Charlotte… she doesn’t half look like Nicola mate,” Steven teased making Fernando chuckle and nod in agreement; even though Charlotte had his hair and eyes, she was starting to look more and more like her mother.

Steven licked his lips nervously, he knew that this wasn’t the best time to mention it to Fernando but he had promised Brendan Rodgers that he would speak to him and he knew that Fernando would like what he had to say.

“I wanted to ask you about something,” Steven started as the two friends moved out of the way as Amber hurried past them and into the kitchen; she was catering the gathering and was rushed off her feet.

Fernando nodded at he looked at him wondering what his friend had to say, he was curious and he knew that Steven would only bring it up if it was important.