I Knew I Loved You

Chapter Eleven: Arriving in France

Manuel had done everything in his power to ensure that they would be comfortable while they were in France; he was still annoyed with how the press were reacting when it came to getting pictures of Abigail. 

Once Abigail was settled, Charlene returned to her own room and settled down to sleep for a couple of hours; it had been a busy day so far and she wanted nothing more than to get some rest while she had the chance to do so before things picked up again.

***

"I have missed you Liebling," Manuel greeted wrapping his arms around Charlene, he had thought he wouldn't see her until he returned home from the Euros with hopeful a trophy on his arm. 

It had been a while since they had seen one another, a fact that had been made harder with what was happening right now; Manuel was a little nervous about meeting the little girl at the centre of all of this. 

His parents had called to tell him how much they adored Abigail and it had left Manuel feeling a little left out; he hadn't been able to really meet the little girl since he had been in France when she had come to stay with them. 

Charlene kissed Manuel, she was happy to be reunited with her husband and she doubted that him traveling for work would ever get any easier than it was now. 

Abigail was silent as she watched Charlene with her husband, her head titled slightly in confusion and she could never recall her mother being this way with anyone in her life even the men that she invited into the bedroom. 

"Manuel... this is Abigail," Charlene said introducing her husband to the little girl, she stepped out of the way so that they could see one another. 

Abigail had been practically hiding behind the skirt of her blue jersey dress and Charlene was hopeful that Manuel would be okay with this; he had been a little off since their results had come in and he seemed to be doing better now. 

"It's nice to meet you Abigail," Manuel greeted crouching down to speak with her, he didn't want to frighten her and he hoped that she wouldn't dislike him. 

He couldn't imagine how strange this was for her and Manuel wanted nothing more than to focus on making this as easy as he could for her; they had no idea how long Abigail would be with them for. 

Abigail stared at Manuel, she wasn't sure what to make of him and she wanted to cuddle into Charlene's side; he was so big and it scared her a little since even her daddy hadn't been that big. 

She had seen pictures of him all around Charlene's home but it was strange meeting him in person; she took a step closer to Charlene wanting her comfort at that moment. 

Manuel swallowed sensing that Abigail was nervous about him, he didn't blame her and he just hoped that she would warm to him; there was only so much change that one person could take at a time. 

Charlene watched them closely, she could see that Abigail was shy and she often a reassuring smile when the little girl peered up at her. 

Their meeting had taken place in the hotel room away from prying eyes, especially unfriendly ones that could do more harm than good. 

"Shall we have something to eat?" Charlene suggested gently knowing that standing here wasn't going to change things, she was just sure that they would all settle in during dinner. 

Manuel nodded his head, he felt a little unsure about this but he wasn't going to give up; he had always been good with children and he guessed that Abigail was just shy. 

"Yes please," Abigail said taking Charlene's hand, she peered up at Manuel as he stood to his full height and she cuddled closer to the brunette; she wasn't sure what to make of him since he seemed like a giant to her. 

Manuel carefully laced his fingers with Charlene's free hand, he had them a table sorted away from prying eyes and he had a feeling that Abigail might open up more when she got to know him a little better. 

It had been Charlene doing all of the childcare since Abigail had arrived in their lives and Manuel was certain that he would have his moment to bond with the little girl that his wife so very clearly loved. 

Perhaps if this went well then, they could look into fostering other children when the time was right, with the hopes of adopting later. 

Manuel was open to all avenues that might lead him and Charlene to being parents, he wasn't going to give up just because they had hit a bump in the road. 

Heading downstairs to lunch, Charlene did her best to encourage conversation between Abigail and Manuel; her heart warming slightly at the look that her husband gave the little girl. 

He might not have realised it yet but Charlene was certain that he would become as attached to Abigail as she was. 

The three of them would have a lovely time together and out of the sight of the press, they could truly bond as a family without anyone trying to disturb them.