2 The blessing

After ten years of marriage, France and Victoria was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. She was adorable and looked exactly like her mother. When Franco first saw her, he was mesmerized by her. At that moment, he could feel that the baby had him wrapped him around her little finger. She laid in her cot, her eyes closed, wrapped up in her baby blanket. She had a beautiful head band on her head with a bow beside it. He smiled down at her when he saw how peacefully she was sleeping.

The baby was lying next to her sleeping mother, who we exhausted from all the pushing from the night before. It had been a very tedious night for both parents. The labour was hard, but Victoria was able to pull through and give birth to her daughter. Franco held out his finger to the little girl and put it inside her palm. The little baby held her father's hand with a tight grip even in her sleep, making Franco laugh.

"Wow, you have such a grip, my baby girl. You are so happy my dear," he said.

He continued to play with the baby some more before he left the room. When he stepped outside, the sun was already up in the air. He did not want to go out to the fields today. He wanted to stay back and be with his family. He needed to celebrate this joy with his wife and was waiting for her to wake up. He walked up to the stables where his foreman, Christian was feeding the horses. Christian was so busy that he did not see his boss approaching him.

"Hey, Chris."

Christian swang his head at the direction of his boss. He dropped the hay in his hand and walked towards Franco who could not hide the happiness on his face. Christian and Victoria had been childhood friends and were still very good friends. But, somehow, Christian had fallen in love with Victoria along the way. He never told her and when she told him he was getting married, it hurt him a lot. That day, he drank so much in his sadness but there was nothing he could about it. Finally, he accepted the truth and watched his love slip away from him.

When he found it hard to find work, Victoria spoke to her husband about Christian. Because of his hard work and determination, he was able to become the foreman and Franco's most trusted hand man.

"Hello boss. Is something wrong? I heard the madam was in labour. Is she okay?" Christian asked worriedly.

"She is fine. Actually, she is perfectly okay. She gave birth just this morning," Franco announced.

"Really? Congrats, sir. Was it a boy or girl?"

"It's a girl."

"Oh wow! Congratulations again, sir. I am really happy for you," Christian said happily.

"Thank you, Christian. Anyway, I wanted you to do me a favor. Can you please go to the fields today and supervise the workers for me? I want to stay behind today and watch over my family. They need me to be around for them today."

"I understand, sir. I will do exactly what you have asked of me," Christian replied.

"Thank you, Chris. I know I could count on you. Thank you," Franco said and hugged Christian who hugged him in return.

Ever since Christian started working with Franco, he had managed to gain Franco's trust. Soon, he was able to tell Christian everything that was bothering him. And Christian gave him the best advice he could. That is how they were able to become friends over the years.

After they broke the hug, Christian asked his boss, "So, what do you plan to name your daughter?"

"I plan on naming her Alicia."

"That's a very nice name. I am sure Victoria will like it too. Well, I should get going now. Congratulations, sir."

"Thank you." Christian tapped Franco on the shoulders and left the stables. Franco smiled at himself. He was glad to have Christian by his side. He turned back and walked back into the house to be with his family.

***

Fifteen years later

Alicia ran around the stables while Christian ran after her.

"Hey, Miss Alicia. Will you please stop running around? I am already tired. I give up. You run better than I do."

Alicia continued to jump around in happiness. And hearing Christian finally give up made her even more excited.

"Yes, so I win!" She screamed like a little girl.

Christian just laughed and shook his head. Then they both heard a voice behind them.

"Okay, guys. If you both are done jumping around, can you please come back into the house? Lunch is already done," Victoria announced.

"Yay!!" Alicia shouted in excitement and run towards the house.

"Alicia, stop running around before you end up hurting yourself and others," Victoria warned but her daughter did not even listen to her. She was already long gone when Victoria tried to stop her. Christian even laughed some more and shook his head.

"It's surprising the kind of energy that girl has. She really did not fall far from you," Christian teased Victoria.

"Who, me? That's not true. I am sure she took that from her father," Victoria fake pouted.

"Well, I do remember when we were younger, you were the one who was quick to climb all those trees. You even threw an orange at Jephthah. Remember him?"

"That boy deserved it for calling you stupid. I actually wanted to bath him in mud."

"You See? So, are you going to say that Alicia looks exactly like her father?"

Victoria smiled and shook her head. "Okay, you know me well. Anyway, aren't you coming inside? Food is ready. Won't you come and eat?"

"I have a few things to do first. You go ahead, I will be inside soon," Christian replied.

"Chris, I know you. Whenever you are out here, you hardly touch your lunch. I do not want you to skip lunch today. So please, do come in and eat something."

"I promise. I will be there in a few minutes. Don't worry," Christian assured her.

"Okay. If you say so. But please don't keep long," Victoria said and walked back to the house, leaving Christian to clean the stables.