Jose Fernandez’s Girlfriend Speaks out for First Time After Daughter’s Birth

When Jose Fernandez died, he left behind a grieving girlfriend and an unborn daughter. Five months after his passing, his girlfriend Maria Arias gave birth to their child.

Arias is speaking out to PEOPLE for the first time since welcoming her daughter on Friday and shares an update on their health.

Find out what adorable name the couple gave their daughter before Fernandez’s death.

Jose Fernandez and Arias’ daughter was born almost five months to the day he died in a boating accident. Maria said she and her daughter are “both healthy and doing well.” She said the newborn has “brought a lot of light and joy to our lives.”

Arias’ reveals her daughter’s birth, “has not taken any of the pain away of course, because that’s always going to remain, but she’s definitely brightened up our lives. A lot of people were anticipating her arrival, because at the end of the day, it’s a little piece of him that he left behind for us.”

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This article originally appeared on Womanista.com

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The Miami Marlins pitcher died on Sept. 25 after the boat he was riding in crashed into a coastal barrier on Miami Beach.

Prior to his death, the couple decided to name their daughter Penelope.

According to Fernandez’s agent, Scott Boras, the MLB player was incredibly excited for fatherhood.

“When he found out he was going to be a father he wanted to know: ‘Am I going to be a good father?’ and I told him, ‘You’re going to be a great father, because you’re going to treat your child like your mother treated you. And you’ll know exactly what to do.’ The next day he bought a glove and put Penelope on it for his unborn daughter,” Boras said at Jose’s funeral.

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In August, the couple, surrounded by family, cut open a reveal cake to find out their baby’s gender. Arias’ father shared the moment on Facebook, which showed Fernandez looking elated.

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A few days before the 24-year-old’s untimely death, he shared a sweet message to his girlfriend with a photo of her embracing her pregnant belly. “I’m so glad you came into my life. I’m ready for where this journey is gonna take us together. #familyfirst,” he wrote.