Mi Princesa

Part One - Chapter Seven: Meeting the King

“Padre… this is my boyfriend, Fernando,” Vanessa said carefully introducing the two important men in her life; she wanted this to go well and she was prepared to break the news that she was pregnant.

Fernando shifted nervously behind Vanessa, he was wearing a dark grey suit and he was doing his best to make a good impression on George; he wanted the man’s approval before he did anything else.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Your Majesty,” Fernando said offering his hand to George, he swallowed wondering how the man would react to him.

Vanessa stood still at Fernando’s side, she had no idea about how her father was going to react; he hadn’t seemed pleased when she had spoken on the phone to him earlier.

“Be nice George… the poor man is nervous enough as it is,” Elizabeth said stepping into the room with a smile, she had come to offer support since she knew that George was going to be difficult.

Vanessa laced her fingers with Fernando’s, she hoped that with her grandmother here that it would make things a little calmer.

“Fernando this is my abuela,” Vanessa said with a smile, she had a feeling that George would be a lot calmer with her there; she peeked at Fernando who looked ever more nervous than he had with just George in the room.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the footballer as she moved to sit down, she had a feeling that this should be interesting and she hoped that Fernando would be a good fit for Vanessa.

“Shall we have some tea?” Elizabeth said taking a seat, she ignored the look that George gave her knowing that this would be an interesting afternoon.

***

“So Fernando what is it you do?” Elizabeth asked trying to end the awkward silence, she smiled politely before elbowing George to stop him from sulking; he was acting like a child and people were noticing.

Fernando sipped on his coffee, he was sort of glad that Elizabeth had shown up and was trying to make things easier for him; he wasn’t sure that George would ever like him.

“I play football in England, Ma'am,” Fernando said trying to sound confident about his answer, his hands felt clammy and he was sure that this meeting was worse than when he had to take a penalty.

Vanessa chewed on her lip, she had known that this wasn’t going to be easy but it was slowly becoming a nightmare that she wished would end.

“Fernando also plays for his country… he won the triple with his national team,” Vanessa said smiling, she thought that maybe bringing up the two Euro wins and the world cup might give them something to talk about.

Fernando nodded his head in agreement, he was glad that she hadn’t left him alone with her father and he didn’t know what to say to the man.

“So if you were to marry Vanessa… would you be able to leave that all behind?” George asked, he wanted to know how serious Fernando was about things with his daughter; the country would need a strong couple to rule them.

Vanessa glared at her father, this wasn’t what she wanted him to focus on especially since she’d only barely talked about this with Fernando; she didn’t want her boyfriend feeling forced.

“I would… my career is nearly over, I’m thirty now and I don’t play like I used to,” Fernando replied without missing a beat, he stared right back at George knowing that this was something that he had thought about.

George nodded his head, he had a feeling that Vanessa had chosen well his time and he hoped that he would be able to get along with Fernando; he was worried however about how they would handle everything.

“Don’t,” Vanessa warned glaring at her father, she could tell what he was thinking and now wasn’t the time for him to be quizzing her boyfriend on how he would feel to be king.

Fernando rested a hand on Vanessa’s knee, he peeked at her silently telling her that it was okay; he couldn’t help but think that she looked beautiful dressed in her yellow box top and black trim suit skinny trousers paired with black pointed patent stilettos.

Vanessa took a calming breath as one of the staff brought in a tray of snack, she swallowed thickly as a wave of nausea washed over her; she cleared her throat knowing that she was going to be sick.

“Excuse me,” Vanessa said jumping to her feet and hurrying from the room, Fernando stared after his girlfriend worried before he too excused himself.

George frowned wondering what was going on, he had never seen Vanessa act like that and he worried that maybe she had picked up a bug or something.

Elizabeth laughed to herself and she shook her head, she quietly asked for the food to be removed so that Vanessa wouldn’t feel ill when she returned; she looked at George who still looked completely confused.

“Come now… don’t tell me that the Countess of Pal didn’t have bouts of sickness when she was having your children,” Elizabeth teased smiling at her son, she hated to refer to her former daughter-in-law by name and thus called her by her current title.

George stared at his mother looking like a fish as her words sunk in, he didn’t want to believe for a moment that Vanessa was expecting his first grandchild.

***

It was a little while later that Vanessa and Fernando returned, the couple figured that now would be the best time to tell her father and grandmother that they were expecting their first child.

George slowly got to his feet while Elizabeth smiled at the couple, they had been gone long enough for her son to digest the news that Fernando was here to stay and Vanessa was having the footballer’s baby.

“You're pregnant,” George said softly, he couldn’t believe that this was happening and he was so happy; he had worried that Fernando was there to use Vanessa but she looked so happy and she was going to have the man’s child.

Fernando paused eyeing the king, he had no idea how the man would react and he feared that he might lash out; he didn’t want Vanessa getting hurt and he would do anything to protect her.

George stood still for a moment before he pulled Vanessa into a hug, he doubted that the couple would want to announce their pregnancy so soon but the media was already awash with rumours.

“Congratulations,” Elizabeth said from her seat, she had known from the moment that she had seen Vanessa with her own two eyes that she was pregnant and now they had something to celebrate.

Fernando nodded his head at Elizabeth, he didn’t take his eyes off Vanessa and her father worried that something might happen; he was a little on edge since he knew how early it was into his girlfriend’s pregnancy.

“I think we need some champagne,” George said clapping his hands when he let go of Vanessa, he smiled at the couple before walking out of the room.

Fernando watched the man go before he looked at Vanessa who shrugged her shoulders, she had no idea what had just happened but she hoped that it was a good sign.

“So when is the baby due?” Elizabeth asked making the couple turn to look at her, she loved the idea of having a great-grandchild.