retired_Brenniepooh

The next day the media were full of praise for Robinho and his performance in the previous nights match. As he arrived at the training ground he was asked by a reporter what his views were on the young Brazilians talents.

[i]"Well, he’s enjoying his football at the moment and that’s the main thing. I know he’s got great potential and if he shows exactly what he’d capable of there’s no reason why he can’t become one of the best players in the World. I’m jut glad we’ve got him playing for us as opposed to against us"[/i}

The mornings training session was a short one. He didn’t want to tire the players as they had an important run of matches coming up. The last thing he wanted was for them to be tired out on the pitch.

He spent the afternoon with Charlotte, taking her out to lunch before heading to do a spot of shopping. That evening they went for dinner and topic of her joining him out in Spain was brought up once more.

"Well, I’ve been talking to mum about it. She thinks it’s a good idea. Dad does to"

"That’s good then, so when are we planning to get you out here"

"Well, I was thinking possibly once the season has finished. Would be much easier and we’d have more time to arrange things whilst there’s no matches to be played"

Ashley nodded, he was delighted that she was coming out to join him. It meant that the relationship could progress even further, he also knew that she would be there for him through everything, and him the same with her.

"Listen Ash, there’s something I need to tell you"

"What’s that babes"

"Well, I’m late"

"Late for what" he replied

"You know, late"

"Oh, that late, oh, wow, ermm.."

He was stunned by what she had told him. He didn’t know what to say to her.

"I mean it’s only two weeks, but I’ve never been late before"

"Well what do you want to do, I don’t know what to suggest"

"Well, I’ll give it another week but then if it doesn’t happen I think I should do a test"

"Of course, that sounds like a good idea.. Ermm.. What would you want to do if you were?"

"I’m not sure, lets think about that when the time comes"

retired_blonde51

brilliant story mate, kinda cross between reading 442 and a Mills & Boon novel !!

retired_Brenniepooh

Lol, wondered how long it would take for a Mills & Boon reference to appear. Glad your enjoying it fella

retired_aloramin

Wat A Story M8 I Have Been Following It From The Very Begining And Im Hooked

retired_Brenniepooh

The next day and Ashley prepared the players for the Sunday evening match against Valencia, with the news that Charlotte had broken to him the night before he was still trying to get over the shock that he could be a father and his mind was still all over the place thinking about it.

Valencia were 4 points ahead of Real in the table and he told them that if they had any chance of winning they would have to beat them. He also reminded them of the defeat to the hands of Valencia that had seen them exit the Spanish Cup.

Through out the week the trainings sessions went well and the night before the match Ashley watched Barcelona demolish Getafe 5-0 to leapfrog them into 2nd. The result against Valencia was now even more important.

Real Madrid v Valencia

The Madrid fans had to wait 23 minutes for a goal to be scored at the Bernabeu, and they weren’t to be disappointed. A cross from Beckham found Reyes in the box who headed towards the goal. The ball was deflected by Albiol and landed at the feet of Nistelrooy who put the it in the back of the goal. Ashley was happy, his players were showing the commitment he’d asked of them and they deserved to go into the half time break 1-0 up.

In the 54th minute Nistelrooy had to be taken off after falling awkwardly when jumping for a ball. On came Ronaldo and in the 64th minute a long ball from Emerson on the break found the Brazilian on his own with only the keeper to beat, and with great composure he placed the ball round the keeper, hitting the inside of the post and rolling over the line. It was his Brazilian team mate Robinho who got the third. Another decisive break-away from Madrid in the 88th minute resulted in a 4 on 3 situation and Robinho took advantage of the space to blast the ball past the Valencia keeper.

The referee blew his whistle and the Madrid fans showed their appreciation to the players, cheering them off of the pitch. Ashley was happy, he had just seen his team provide one of their best displays of the season, and it meant that they were closer to Valencia in the league.

Real Madrid 3
Nistelrooy (23)
Ronaldo (64)
Robinho (88)

Valencia 0

Man Of The Match - Cannavaro

retired_Brenniepooh

The win over Valencia had seen Real overtake Barcelona in 2nd spot, 1 point ahead of them. With Valencia leading by only 1 point it was shaping up to be a exciting end to the season. Ashley was still confident his side had what it took to bring the title back to the Spanish capital for the first time since 2003.

Their next match would be an away trip to 14th placed Getafe. He was confident they could come away from the game with the 3 points with the morale being high in the team due to the recent win against the league leaders.

As February drew to a close Ashley was called to the board room for a meeting with the clubs directors. It was always a daunting prospect for him as he never knew what they were going to say to him.

"Well Ashley, you’ve exceeded our expectations this season. We pleased with the way we’ve progressed under your management and are happy with your attitude towards your position. We were disappointed to have gone out of the Spanish Cup but believe this will only benefit the team in the league and Champions League"

With that they continued to outline their plans for him at the club and advised him of the financial status they were in.

As Ashley returned to his office he was relieved. He felt happy with the praise that he had been given and wanted to make sure that nothing changed to sway the opinions that the board had for him.

Summary For February

Real Madrid 0 - 0 Betis
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Celta
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Madrid
PSV 0 - 1 Real Madrid (Champions League 1st Knockout 1st Leg)
Real Madrid 3 - 0 Valencia

League Position - 2nd
Champions League - 1st Knockout Stage

retired_Brenniepooh

As the week passed and Charlotte still yet start her period the two of them decided that she should take the pregnancy test.

As Charlotte came back from the bathroom the two of them waited for the result. It was the longest two minutes of Ashley’s life.

"What does that mean" he said, looking at the plastic tube resembling a pen she held in her hand.

"That means I am

"Really, you sure"

"Well that’s what it says on the box"

The two of them looked at each other, this is something they hadn’t planned. The thoughts had not even entered their mind.

"What do you want to do, I mean I’ll support you whatever decision you make, you know that"

"I want to keep it Ash. I couldn’t bear to get rid of it"

"Ok, that’s fine with me.. What shall we tell your mum and dad"

"Well, we can tell them the fairy’s put I there if you really want" she joked.

"Ok, yea, good idea.. What, oh, sorry"

"I’ll tell her when I get back to England honey"

The two of them hugged each other. They sat down and talked about their future together, and what having a child would mean.

retired_Brenniepooh

As the team traveled to play Getafe Ashley sat on the team coach talking with assistant manager Pepe Grande about the tactics he was to employ. He had to make one change to the team that had beaten Valencia so comfortably, with Carlos picking up his 5th yellow of the season meant that he would have to serve a 1 match suspension, so Raul Bravo would come in at left back.

Getafe v Real Madrid

The home team started well, creating a few chances that although were never going to put them ahead had Casillas earning his wage for the week. The in the 17th minute Real went ahead. Nistelrooy putting the ball into the back of the Getafe goal from 6 yards out from a cross supplied by Beckham. Getafe then went on the attack again and were close to drawing level when Korean striker Lee Chun-Soo hit the post. It was a scare for the Madrid defence which seemed to wake them up and Real went into the break leading.

On the hour mark the away team went 2-0 up. Beckham again providing the cross that saw Guti place a left foot volley past the Getafe keeper. With Madrid having a 2 goal cushion Ashley decided to make some changes, bringing off Nistelrooy for Cassano and bringing Figo on for Beckham. The Englishman looked disappointed to be substituted as he walked off the pitch but after a brief conversation with Ashley who told him he wanted to make sure he didn’t pick up any injuries he seemed happy enough. The former England captain had been playing excellent recently and the last thing Ashley wanted was to loose him to a needless injury.

In the the home team were reduced to 10 men. A mis-timed challenge on Diarra saw both sets of players confronting each other and in all the confusion Itialian defender Andrea Masiello was shown the red card. Replays had shown that the substitute who had only come on the pitch 3 minutes earlier had head butted Robinho in the face. The red card was fully justified.

The home team then punished the 10 men by scoring their third a minute after the incident when the resulting free kick saw Cassano head home.

The referee blew his whistle and both sets of players made their way to the dressing room.

"Excellent display out there lads, your really showing that you’ve got what it takes to bring this title back home. Keep it up, I know we can do this"

Getafe 0
Masiello s/o 85

Real Madrid 3
Nistelrooy (17)
Guti (60)
Cassano (87)

Man Of The Match - Reyes

retired_Brenniepooh

The next evening saw Valencia retake their spot at the top of the league with a 4-0 win over Celta. Ashley hoped that they would slip up at some point and his Madrid team could take advantage.

The night before the visit of PSV for the 2nd leg of the Champions League Ashley and Charlotte were out to dinner when her phone rang.

After a brief conversation her face turned pale.

"It’s Dad, he’s had a stroke" she said, with tears running down her face. [i]"I’ve got to get back to England"

"It’s to late tonight, you’ll never get a flight out of here"

"I’ll have to back first thing tomorrow morning"[/i)

Ashley moved round the table and hugged her, trying to comfort her. They left the restaurant and went back to the apartment. The two of them sat up all night, waiting to hear back from her Mum in England on is condition.

The next morning Ashley drove Charlotte to the airport. He wanted to travel back to England with her but due to the game with PSV he couldn’t.

"I’m sure he’ll be fine" he said, trying to install some hope into her. "Let me know how he is as soon as you know"

She was still in tears, tired from waiting up all night. They hugged and she made her way back to England.

retired_dancerhelen2006

This is brilliant mate, made me laugh quite a few times