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For as long as Charles could remember, his husband Sergio had a sweet tooth. He was always snacking on candy and if Checo had his way they would skip dinner and go straight to dessert. Charles had learned from Jo and Xavi that there was a history of diabetes in Sergio’s family and so when at home he helped monitor and maintain Checo’s sweet tooth. However, all the effort help maintain Checo’s diet went to crap when the couple discover that Sergio was pregnant with their first child. With the help of Jo and Xavi, Charles was able to help Checo maintain his diet and take all the prenatal vitamins advised to him from their medical team, but when Checo’s cravings hit, they were intense. And Charles was a weak man when his husband, the man carrying his child, the love of his life wanted cake for breakfast or a chocolate bar in the middle of the night. Charles even had their local bakery learn how to make Checo pan dulce from Mexico, just to keep his husband happy.
At around seven months, Charles with the help of Carlos and Fernando had organized a small baby shower for the people who weren’t going to be able to attend the larger one organized by Checo’s family in Mexico. It was the last chance many of the drivers would see Checo before he flew to Mexico to give birth. Charles had agreed to Checo’s wishes to give birth in Mexico especially since Checo was getting more emotional and specific with his cravings. All Checo wanted was Mexican food and sweets. And so, as a little surprise, Charles had asked for a big favor from two of Checo’s Mexican friends who were flying in to attend the baby shower in Monaco. The two friends were fellow drivers who were currently in the Indy Car Series, Pato O’Ward and in Nascar, Daniel Suarez. Charles had met them the past year when he accompanied Checo to a meeting with the Slim family, in which the 3 drivers were planning on forming a team for Le Mans. However, Charles and Checo found out soon after that they were expecting, and the Mexicans’ plans had to be put on hold. Since then, Charles had followed Pato and Daniel and regularly interacted with them on social media. He had even become a bit of a matchmaker helping setup Mick and Pato on a date, which turned into a relationship. Charles was even planning on setting up Carlos and Daniel, but the pregnancy took priority in Charles’ life. The Slim family generously allowed Pato and Daniel to fly in one of their private planes so that the 2 drivers could load up on Mexican candy, snacks, desserts and even a Yeti cooler filled with popsicles. On the day before the baby shower Charles organize a dinner for Pato and Daniel, inviting Fernando, Mick, and Carlos (hoping they would hit it off). And just as Charles expected, Daniel and Carlos instantly clicked. The 3 Mexicans and 2 Spaniards joked around late into the night, with the conversation naturally flowing into Spanish, all while Mick and Charles tried their best to keep up. Charles loved seeing how happy Checo looked, the pregnancy glow making him even more attractive and so when Charles reached over to put his hand on Checo’s belly he saw the time on his watch and was shocked at how late it was.
Charles- “Would you look at the time?! “
Mick- “Oh wow, its nearly 2am.”
Charles- “Checo you have to get rest; tomorrow is going to be a long day and all the attention will be on you.”
Checo- “I’m fine, mi amor. The fun just got started. I was going to get the karaoke machine out.”
Charles- “No Checo, you need some rest. Plus, everyone will be back tomorrow, and you know Yuki will be hurt if you do Karaoke without him.”
Daniel- “ Checo, Charles tiene razón, necesitas descansar y todos estarán aquí mañana.”
Checo- “Fine, if you all insist.”
As all the men get up to head out, Charles notices that Carlos whispers something in the Nascar driver’s ear and instead of walking to the guest room grabs his jacket.
Daniel- “Checo, Charles I am actually going take a drive with Carlos, I hope you don’t mind opening the door for me later.”
Pato- “Don’t worry about it, Dani- Mick and I are going to stay up a little while longer to play some FIFA. Just text me when your back and I’ll open the door.”
Fernando with a mischievous smile on his face- “Looking at Daniel and Carlos- Solo un viaje para ustedes dos.-Looking at Pato and Mick- Y un poco de FIFA para ustedes dos. Suena como una noche perfectamente inocente. Solo espero que usan protección a diferencia de esos dos. No estoy listo para ser tío de 3.” This is just Fernando being Fernando and calling out Carlos/Daniel and Pato/Mick, and being a good friend reminding the younger guys to use protection since he isn’t ready to be an uncle of 3.
Daniel, Pato, Carlos and Checo burst out laughing. The group part ways and after Charles walks Fernando, Carlos and Daniel to the door, he makes sure to grab a gansito for Checo’s early morning craving.
The morning of the baby shower Charles gets up bright and early to start with the set up for the party. He lets Checo sleep in a little more, laughing to himself after seeing the wrapper of the gansito in the trash bin next on Checo’s side of the bed. Fernando meets him with some coffee and after waiting for 20 minutes on Carlos, Charles checks the cameras and realizes that he had only dropped off Daniel about and hour ago and was probably passed out asleep. Happy that Carlos and Daniel hit it off, Charles called Pierre and Yuki instead for help. When Charles went to open the door for Yuki, he caught Mick sneaking out of the room Pato was staying in, Charles winked at Mick who blushed while saying “I’ll see you and Checo later.”
Checo woke up in the late morning and feeling ravenous, he was eager to have one of the paletas Daniel and Pato had flown in from Mexico, so he quickly showed and headed down to the kitchen. When he made it downstairs, there was already so much movement going on, the baby shower planning in full swing. He found Pato and Daniel in the kitchen cooking up a mountain of food. Pato was working hard on some machaca con huevos and Daniel was juicing some oranges, Fernando was giving Pato a hard time, calling him Patito. Checo went to the freezer and took 2 strawberry paletas from the eating them while waiting for the breakfast to be ready. Just as the food was ready, Carlos and Mick arrived at the house they join feast, Checo confused because he thought that Fernando and Carlos were meant to be helping Charles asks about his husband while grabbing another paleta to eat.
Checo- “Nano, why are you and Carlos here eating instead of helping Charles?
Fernando- “I was here bring and early, and since Carlos never showed, Charles called Pierre and Yuki. “
Carlos- “I already texted him my apologies, I overslept. I promise I’ll help with the cleanup.”
Fernando- “Yeah, and I’m sure the bruise on your neck formed from the pillow, since you overslept so much.”
Daniel nearly dropped the juice and Carlos blushed furiously. Pato and Checo’s laughter breaks the tension, and all the men finally sit down to eat. While eating breakfast, Checo hears Charles pull into the driveway with Pierre and Yuki, all three men have their hands full and so he goes to open the door, grabbing another paleta on the way from the kitchen to the door. When Checo opens the door, Charles gives him a kiss and comments about how Checo tastes like strawberries. Yuki, always eager to eat, gladly sat at the table and ate the remaining food, while Charles introduced Pierre to Pato and Daniel. Checo during this time ate another paleta, this time a vanilla one and started to pick up the dishes. He was quickly rushed away by Daniel and Pato, who insisted on cleaning up. Fernando, Mick, Carlos, Pierre, and Yuki went home to get cleaned up for the baby shower, as did Checo and Charles who went upstairs. As Pato and Daniel finished up, Daniel checked the freezer before getting ready himself.
Later in the day more and more drivers started to arrive and were in awe of how beautiful Checo’s baby shower was. They party was a pink paradise, perfect for the little princess Checo was expecting. The two fathers themselves were a vision in pastel pink. The party was in full swing, games were happening, the music was blasting, the gift pile was now a mountain, all the while though, - the Nascar driver had been keeping his eyes on Checo, who kept eating paletas. Checo hadn’t taken a break since the party started, sat down on the sofa next to Daniel was showing Carlos pictures of his dogs and Volkswagens. Pato and Mick were nearby talking to Lance and Fernando. Checo then started to complain.
Checo-Ay quisiera un heladito, Dani. I really want a popsicle,Dani.
Daniel- No,ya no. No tragues ya ahora ni siquiera por nadie yay a ya es que.. No, no more.Dont eat any more…
Checo-Me estoy sintiendo ahhh. I’m not feeling well,ugh.
Daniel sternly- Checo ya comiste hoy Checo no jodas ya despues to sube la glucose…estas enfermo. Checo you already ate some, stop nagging for more, later your sugar is going to go up.”
Checo getting upset- Como te atreves! Ni que fuera un viejo. How dare you! I’m not some old person!
Daniel-Pero Checo.. But Checo..
Checo- Soy un atleta en plena forma.. I am an athlete in top physical condition.
Checo and Daniel started to raise their voice, causing more people start to pay attention to their argument- Pato walks up to get in-between his two friends. He knows that Daniel never backs down from an argument and while Checo is the more levelheaded of the three, the pregnancy hormones have made him more emotional. Pato has a feeling this can end badly if he doesn’t intervene.
Pato- Bien ustedes dos, eso es suficiente. Dani, Checo no se siente bien. Enough you two.Dani, Checo isn’t feeling well..
Daniel- Pero por tragar! Because hes eaten so many!
Pato giggles a little despite trying to remain serious. Mick looks on concerned and, while Fernando and Carlos look on in amusement.
Checo-Ayyy te callas!!Yo comi muchos helados y me comi… Shut up! And what of it? I’ve only eaten..
Daniel- 17! 17 Checo fueron 17! You’ve eaten 17 Checo!
Checo- Me comi 11 paletas! I’ve eaten 11 !
Daniel- No! Mentiras! Ay! 11 en tu major dia, tu dia de dieta fue 11. Lies! Not even on your best day, on weigh in day in when you’ll eat 11 !
Pato- jajajajjaj! Laughing uncontrollably in Spanish.
Checo-Cuantas fueron? How many?
Daniel- Fureron 17 paletas. It was 17 popsicles.
Checo- 17 y tu como lo sabes? 17, how are you sure?
Daniel- Porque to iba contando. I was counting.
Checo in a shocked tone- 17 paletas? 17 popsicles?
Daniel- 17
Pato-17
Daniel- 17 si,
Checo- No furon 11. No, it was only 11.
Daniel-No fueron mas. Checo te estoy diciendo ya papi, ahorita estas asi por el embarzo, No it was more. Checo that’s enough daddy, you’re acting like this because of the pregnancy,
Checo crying-No me digas papi! Don’t call me daddy!
Charles noticing a commotion walks back inside the house and finds his very pregnant husband crying and arguing with the Nascar driver while everyone else in the room looked on .
Charles- stepping in front of Checo- What is going on? Daniel why are you yelling at my husband at his baby shower?!
Pato- Relax Charles, its nothing serious.
Charles- what do you mean it’s nothing serious? Checo is crying!
Charles turns to look at Mick who shrugs his shoulders- “I have no idea Charles they were arguing in Spanish.”
Charles- “Fernando! Why didn’t you try to stop the argument?! I understand Carlos not want to get in between an argument involving his new boyfriend and one of his closest friends. But..”
Fernando nonchalantly – “I like hearing their Mexican accent when they argue. Why don’t you ask Checo, what Daniel was scolding him about?”
Charles turns back to a teary eye Checo and waits for his answer.
Checo- 17 paletas me mame? I really ate 17 popsicles?
Carlos, Pato Fernando and Daniel burst out laughing, with Checo quickly joining in. All the non-Spanish speakers look around confused.
Daniel- Chequito, I’m just looking out for your health.
Checo steps around Charles and gives Daniel a side hug and grabs Daniel’s hand to place on his belly before crying again. (Checo was a little sensitive about his people trying to touch his belly- only Charles, his mom and mother-in-law had been allowed to do so).
Checo- Gracias Dani.
Charles even more confused- What is going on?!
Pato- Checo and Daniel were arguing about how many ice creams Checo has eaten today. Daniel was worried about Checo’s sugar.
Charles realized he had been so busy with the baby shower planning he hadn’t been keeping track of Checo’s diet like Xavi and Jo had asked of him.
Charles- How many ice creams, Checo?
Daniel- He had 17.
The room burst out in a mixture of laughter and gasping.
Charles steps up to Daniel and gives him a hug as well- “Thank you, for taking care of my husband and daughter.” -Pato joins in on the hug make Checo laugh.
A few months later, after Checo has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Charles sends Daniel and Pato a picture of her wrapped in a blanket with popsicles on it.