The Footballer's Girlfriend

Part Three - Chapter Six: Meeting the Boyfriend

"I'm sure it will be fine," Cristiano murmured taking Eliana's hand, the two of the walked towards the restaurant where they were going to be meeting Jennifer; it was going to be the first time that they met her boyfriend and Eliana was a little nervous about it. 

Jennifer had been so much happier recently and the couple were surprised that she had insisted on them meeting her boyfriend; they had heard quite a bit about Stefan in the past few months. 

"I just worry," Eliana mumbled feeling silly, she stuck close to Cristiano knowing that the paparazzi were watching them; she hated that they couldn't be left alone for one night. 

Stepping into the restaurant, Cristiano couldn't help but admire his wife and he couldn't deny that she looked simply gorgeous in her lace peplum dress; he couldn't wait for them to head off on holiday in a couple of days. 

The couple were excited about their holiday plans and Cristiano was just relieved that he would have Eliana and Elsa to himself; his mother was still sulking that she wouldn't get to be around them for the holidays. 

Dolores had even gone as far as to suggest that she could with them for the holiday, she had been sorely disappointed when Cristiano had refused point-blank and had turned her attentions to Hugo and his family. 

However Hugo was also making it clear that he didn't want his mother about, it wasn't anything against her but it would be the first Christmas that he celebrated completely sober and he didn't need to be around anyone you liked to have a bit of a drink. 

It wasn't a secret that Dolores liked to have a little bit of a drink over the holidays and Hugo didn't want any alcohol in the house so that he couldn't be tempted to have a drink. 

"Eliana," Jennifer called smiling as she spotted her daughter, she was so happy that Eliana had agreed to this and she hoped that she liked Stefan.

Cristiano peeked at the man that sat next to Jennifer, he wasn't quite sure what to make of him and he knew that tonight was going to be a little strange; he held onto Eliana's hand hoping this went better than meeting Sara had. 

It had been months since Eliana had even heard from his father, he was often pictured with his very pregnant fiancée buying things for their unborn son. 

Cristiano doubted that Eliana would ever truly forgive William for picking Sara over her, he had turned his back on her on her wedding day and she hadn't really said anything about what had happened. 

Getting to her feet, Jennifer smiled moving to hug her daughter; it had been a strange week and she knew that there was no one else she wanted to share her news with. 

Eliana hugged her mother back, she peeked at Stefan who looked incredibly nervous; he looked a little younger than her mother but Eliana had heard nothing but good things about him since he had begun dating Jennifer. 

"Eliana, Cristiano... this is Stefan," Jennifer said with a massive smile on her face, she still couldn't believe that she had really found someone that treated her so well. 

After what had happened with William, Jennifer had never thought that this would happen and Stefan had been so wonderful; he had made her smile and he was great with Elsa when she had her. 

"Stefan... this is my daughter, Eliana, and my son-in-law, Cristiano," Jennifer said allowing them all to officially meet, she had joined the book club for something to do after her divorce; she had never thought that it would lead her to find love or help her move on from what William had done to her without a second thought.

***

"What do you think?" Jennifer asked peeking at Eliana, the two had excused themselves to the bathroom after their starters and she couldn't help but hope that Eliana liked him; she knew how much her daughter disliked Sara. 

It had been months since Jennifer had announced that she was seeing someone, it had come as a bit of a surprise since she thought she'd spend the rest of her life just being a doting grandmother. 

"He's lovely mãe," Eliana replied smiling, she had to admit that Stefan was a wonderful fit for her mother and he seemed to genuinely care about her; he was a fresh change after what had happened to her parents. 

Eliana knew that Jennifer was happy and that was all that she had ever wanted for her, she had been through so much with William who had treated her more like a housekeeper than his wife. 

The two had never done anything together and Eliana had enjoyed hearing that Stefan had taken her mother paint-balling and mountain climbing; they seemed to have such good fun with one another and they looked so happy. 

"He's taking me on a cruise next year," Jennifer gushed, they had been talking about it a lot and she couldn't wait; she was trying things that she had only ever dreamed about when she was married to William. 

Stefan was divorced himself and his ex-wife had been nothing but trouble for him when he had been married; he was thankful to be rid of her now and have someone like Jennifer in his life. 

Eliana smiled, she listened to her mother talk about all the things that they were going to do on the cruise and she hoped that they had such a wonderful time; she couldn't wait to see the pictures from the holiday after it had happened. 

It had been a long time since Jennifer had been this happy about anything and Eliana really hoped it stayed that way for a very long time.

***

"Stefan and I have some news to share," Jennifer said when everyone had finished dessert, it had been such a wonderful evening and she was sure now would be a great time for her to share the news. 

Stefan took her hand and smiled at her, he wasn't sure how Eliana would take this news but he knew that he wasn't trying to cause any trouble between mother and daughter. 

"News?" Eliana asked peeking at Cristiano, she wasn't sure what they would want to tell them but she was sure that it had to be important; she looked at Jennifer who was grinning from ear to ear. 

There was no denying that she looked excited about this and Eliana wondered if she was going to tell them that she and Stefan were going to move in with one another or something. 

"We're getting married," Jennifer squealed showing off the engagement ring, it had been a quick decision for the both of them but they both knew that there was little point in dragging this out. 

They weren't getting any younger and Jennifer couldn't believe it when Stefan had popped the question last week; it had been such a lovely surprise and she hoped that Eliana would be supportive. 

"Oh my God," Eliana gasped staring at her mother and Stefan, she didn't know what else to say and it certainly hadn't been what she had been expecting when they had said news to share. 

Cristiano looked at Jennifer, he wasn't sure what to say and he really hoped that she knew what she was doing; they had only been together for four months and now they were getting married. 

"I know it's a surprise... what can I say, I love her," Stefan said holding Jennifer's hand, they were taking this better than everyone else they had told.