Book 2: Endless Summer

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Last Preparations

There was only one week left before the wedding and the final preparations were being made for the big day, something that lifted the weight from everyone’s shoulders as the big day approached.

Fernando smiled as he shook hands with the caterer, they had finally agreed on the menu for the wedding reception; for their starters they were having the choice between mushroom cream soup with parmesan or gilthead bream with a special mousse followed by a Kiwi sorbet.

Their main course was a choice between Rybeye steaks with a special wine sauce or piquillo with peppers and special potatoes and finally their deserts were cheesecake or profiteroles with cream and chocolate sauce.

The options would be offered on elegantly printed menus that the group were having done and the food would all be prepared on the day for their guests.

Fernando left the building and headed towards his car and sighed as he checked the time, the last few things had to be sorted this week.

Fernando smiled at the thought of their wedding, it was only a week away now and he couldn’t wait to call Alyssa his; he knew that between the friendlies and wedding plans, the three men had been a little stressed.

Fernando quickly texted Iker to tell him that the catering had been finalised, the older Spaniard was acting like a base captain making sure that the final details all fell into place.

Iker was getting the last confirmations for everything, Fernando had been in charge of finalising the catering, Sergio had been sent to collect the wedding rings and their suits for the big day and Alyssa was at her wedding dress fitting since she now carried a nice bump.

After hearing back from Iker, who had nothing else for him to do; Fernando headed back to the house, the slow drive back allowed him to think about what the next week held for him.

***

Sergio sighed as he hung his suit up in his wardrobe, he ignoring his mother’s continuous ramblings about leaving Alyssa and marrying someone else; he didn’t care what she said he loved Alyssa, Iker and Fernando.

“Sergio are you listening to me?” Paqui asked making the footballer nod as he glanced at his mother, the other two suits where in Fernando and Iker’s rooms and they all looked perfect for the big day.

“Yes madre,” Sergio said dutifully making Paqui roll her eyes as she crossed her arms and glared at her son, she had no idea what she had done wrong when she raised him.

Paqui wanted him to see sense and with only a week now until the wedding, she feared that he wouldn’t find it until he was married to the gold-digger.

“Sergio… por favor consider what I am asking,” Paqui pleaded making him sigh as he closed his wardrobe, she watched him waiting for him to agree with her.

Paqui wasn’t going to stand by and watch her youngest son make a big mistake, she feared for him especially if this ever came out; he’d lose everything over someone like Alyssa.

“I love Alyssa, madre… nothing you can say will make me change my mind,” Sergio said firmly as he turned to look at his mother, he was growing tired of her negativity and he hoped that she would come around to his impending marriage.

Paqui stared at her son and shook her head, she didn’t want to hear anymore; she had tried everything to make him see sense.

“Then I won’t be a part of this farce,” Paqui said firmly as she crossed her arms, she had to do something that would make him see sense and there was only one thing that she could think of.

Sergio nodded his head as he watched his mother, he knew that she was worried about him but she couldn’t understand how happy he was.

“I’m sorry Sergio… but I can’t watch you marry that gold-digger, she’s using the three of you and I can’t stand by and watch anymore,” Paqui said sadly as she watched her son, she wished that he would see what she was trying to tell him and this was the only way that she could do it.

Sergio nodded as he took a deep breath, he would be hurt that his mother wouldn’t be at his wedding day but he had sensed that it would come to this; Paqui was never going to accept he loved Alyssa.

“Do you want me to drop you off at the train station?” Sergio asked her, Paqui stared at her son; she couldn’t believe that he was willing to let her miss his wedding just because he ‘loved’ the bride.

Paqui nodded sharply, she hoped that her leaving would make the right decision and walk away when he had the chance; before he made a big mistake.

***

Alyssa hugged Sergio as he returned from dropping his mother off at the train station, his father and siblings had decided to stay and support Sergio when he got married; she knew he was still hurting about Paqui’s decision.

“Lo siento,” Alyssa said feeling guilty about Paqui leaving, however Sergio shook his head and smiled at her; he didn’t blame her for what had happened between him and his mother.

“It’s not your fault… she just couldn’t see that you make me happy,” Sergio said making her smile at him softly, the footballer rested a hand on her stomach; she was now fifteen weeks pregnant and now carried a small bump that always made him smile.

They still didn’t know who the father was but they had agreed on a prenatal paternity test that would be took in a couple of weeks when Alyssa was a little further along.

“How are you feeling?” Sergio asked making Alyssa smile at him and press a soft kiss to his lips; she knew that they were worried about her.

They had insisted that Alyssa relax as much as possible, stress wasn’t good for the baby and they didn’t want anything happening to her or the baby; they still had a long road ahead of them.

“I’m fine… plus both of my dresses now fit,” Alyssa said making Sergio grin at her words, it was known that the dress was the hardest thing for the bride to decide on and it could take months to find the right dress.

The footballer kissed Alyssa as he watched her, he couldn’t believe that next week they were going to get married; it still seemed so far away right now.

“When do I get to see it?” Sergio asked again making Alyssa roll her eyes and shake her head, making him pout slightly at her; he was excited about their impending wedding even if his mother wasn’t going to be there.

Alyssa smiled softly as she ran her fingers through his hair, she knew that it wouldn’t be easy especially now his mother had turned her back on him.

“On our wedding day,” Alyssa said making him chuckle as he kissed her, he knew that that day couldn’t come sooner; he was going to prove his mother wrong and he hoped that Paqui would come around.

The baby that Alyssa was carrying had a 50% chance of being his and Sergio wanted his family around him if it was; he was going to be a father sooner or later and he didn’t care what his mother thought about that.