Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

The ten-minute walk to Jasmin’s house felt like it took ages with the amount of tension that was brewing between us. Xavier refused to utter a single word, and I didn't dare break the silence either. When we arrived at Jasmin’s house, I stepped forward and lightly knocked on the door.

A few minutes later, the door was opened by a man, who was wearing a purple shirt and a pink bowtie, who lightly bowed at both of us. “Please come in, Beta Costa.” the man gestured. “Miss. Amato,” he said, and he stepped aside.

“Congratulations on having your firstborn,” Xavier told the man.

“Thank you so much, Beta Costa. It's like my life just got brighter after my baby girl was born.” the man said, his eyes sparkling with mirth and love.

“I am happy to hear that,” Xavier said, and then, both of us walked inside. After the man closed the door behind us, he led us to the living room, where Jasmin was seated on the sofa with her baby girl cuddled in her arms.

“Miss. Amato, I thought you wouldn't be able to make it,” Jasmin exclaimed when she saw me.

“I wouldn't miss a party, Jasmin,” I told her as I made my way towards her, took a seat, and peered down at her bundle of joy. Jasmin had dressed her baby girl in a cute purple and pink frock that had a net skirt. “Have you thought of a name?” I asked her, and her face lit up with a beautiful smile.

“Of course, I just can't wait to reveal it to everyone,” she said as she stared at her daughter.

“Great, oh, and this is for the baby,” I told Jasmin as I handed her my gift. “I know it is not much, but I hope you like it,” I told her, but I saw a look of surprise on her face.

“You didn't have to do this, Miss. Amato. But thank you so much for this.” Jasmin said, and I nodded my head.

“Darling,” both of us looked up to see the same man who opened the door standing near the doorway. “Shall we start the ceremony?” the man asked her, and she nodded her head, and got up from the sofa and I did the same.

“Oh, I completely forgot to introduce. This is my husband, Walter Sandro.” Jasmin said.

“I think it is nice to officially meet you, Mr. Sandro.”

“Likewise, Miss. Amato. But please call me Walter.” he insisted, I nodded my head, and we began walking out of the living room.

“Where is Xavier?” I asked out loud when I realized that he was not with me.

“Beta Costa is in the backyard with the other guests,” Walter answered, and I nodded my head. We walked out into the backyard through the huge glass door, and I was in awe at the decorations.

Purple, pink, red, and orange flowers and balloons were used to decorate the place, and there was a table placed at the forest edge with the cake I made and a lot of candies arranged next to it. Simply put, I think I did a great job with the decorations. “I don't think anyone could have done the job as perfectly as you, Miss. Amato.” Jasmin exclaimed, and this made a blush appear on my face.

“I was only doing my job,” I told her.

“And you have outdone yourself.” she praised.

“Thank you,” I told her.

“Shall we begin the ceremony?” Xavier asked the couple as he came and took his position beside me, and they nodded their heads. “Okay, let's first finish the ceremony, and then, we can start the party,” he said and then walked towards another table that I didn't notice.

It had a book that had a golden hardcover and next to it, there were two small vials with an orange and blue liquid respectively, a pink quartz crystal bowl, and a pair of scissors.

“What are you doing standing there, Eleanor?” Xavier asked me, breaking me from my trance.

“You want me there?” I asked him, and he nodded his head. I walked and took my position beside him, and soon Jasmin walked towards me and extended the baby towards me.

“I…I have never held a baby before.” I told her, shaking my head.

“Even I never knew how to hold a baby properly a few days ago. Miss. Amato. But then I realized that every woman has a motherly instinct within them. So just do what your heart tells you to.” she reassured me, and even though I didn't want to take the baby, I nodded my head, walked closer to Jasmin, and carefully took the baby in my arms.

My heartbeat increased when I felt an unknown emotion fill my heart. “Let's begin the ceremony,” Xavier spoke out loud. I walked closer to him while he opened the book in front of him. I looked closer to see that the book was in Latin.

Gradually, Xavier began reading the verses in the book, and every word that flowed from his perfect lips was like a melody to my ears. I momentarily closed my eyes and basked myself in his voice. “Eleanor,” I opened my eyes to see that Xavier was closer to me, and he had the pair of scissors in his hand. “Hold the baby carefully,” he warned me, and I nodded my head. He stroked the baby’s face before he cut a small piece of hair, walked back to the table again, and put it inside the bowl.

He added a few drops or both of the liquids that were on the table and recited a few more verses when I saw puffs of blue and orange smoke coming from the bowl. “The baby’s invitation ceremony is done,” Xavier said, and then everyone who was there began cheering and congratulating the new parents.

I looked down at the baby, and a smile appeared on my face. “Please announce the name at least now, Jasmin.” I heard someone ask.

“Okay, everyone, come towards this board,” Jasmin said as she walked towards a circular board, that was covered with a purple cloth.

“On the count of three.”