Jose Fernandez’s Girlfriend Attends His Memorial

Maria Arias was in attendance at José Fernández’s funeral on Wednesday in a heartbreaking turn of events for what was to be a family of three.

US Weekly reports José Fernández’s funeral was held at La Ermita de la Caridad in Coconut Grove, Florida.

The mom-to-be stood with Fernández’s mother and grandmother along with the rest of the family, with her growing bump on display.

Fernández was well-loved in his community and the funeral procession reflected that. Several stops were made a long the way for fans to pay their respects to the 24-year-old-pitcher. The rest of the Marlins walked with their hands on his hearse chanting the name of their fallen teammate as he made his way through the crowds.

Thousands were gathered outside La Carreta, a cuban restaurant where Fernández would go before games to pay their respects. Once at the funeral, the ace pitcher’s mother and grandmother both kissed his casket and gently draped his all-star jersey over him, with his number, 16 face up.

Fernández was so excited about his future with Arias and their unborn child. His unbridled joy in his growing family was captured in a gender reveal video taken at a restaurant with his friends and family. With a giant grin on his face and lots of deep breaths, he cuts into the cake and finds out hes having a baby girl. His face lights up and he exclaims, “I knew it!” before kissing Arias and putting his face in his hands, emotional.

This article first appeared on Womanista.com