"I baptize you, Xavier Blackthorn, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," the priest intoned as he poured water over my head.
The water felt cool, but I couldn't help but cough and splutter as it ran down my face and neck.
The sensation was new and strange, my body felt small and weak, and I felt as if I was being carried like a baby, correction, it feels like I am a baby.
OK, it appears that I have been reincarnated. I am Xavier Blackthorn, and judging from the priest's accent, I'm in England - or somewhere like it.
I try to remember who I was, but it escapes me. All that I can muster, is a vague awareness that this is reincarnation, and that I have been given a second chance at life.
"Congratulations, my lord," the priest said as he handed me back to my father.
So, my father has the title of Lord. What era am I in? I wondered. I looked around the church.
The architecture was Gothic, with high vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows.
My father's suit seemed to be modern, so I must be in the 20th or 21st century - or a world with a similar level of development.
The other people in the church, or maybe it is a Cathedral? It looks massive, though since I'm a baby, everything looks massive to me, the other people seem to be subordinates from the way they bow and offer their congratulations to my father.
"I thank you all for coming to witness the baptism of my son," my father said, his voice deep and resonant. "I have absolute faith that he will be a worthy successor to the Blackthorn name."
I looked up at him. He wasn't looking at me, but addressing the small group of people, and his blue eyes were cold and hard. Looks like my dad is the serious sort.
We filed out of the church, my father wrapped me tight in a blanket, and handed me over to a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.
She was dressed in a black skirt-suit, from what I could tell, and instinct told me that she was either a nanny or a babysitter, and not my mother.
We got into a sleek low-slung black car. The engine rumbled to life, and we were soon speeding along a country road.
"Hans, I trust you took care of that gold-digging harlot and her paramour?" asked my father to the driver.
"Yes, Lord Blackthorn, she and her boyfriend had a 'tragic accident' while skiing in the Alps" said the man in a thick German accent.
"Those devils exploited an innocent child to satiate their greed! At least I got an heir out of this mess! I suppose Xavier was fortunate that the paternity test proved he was my son." growled my father.
The nanny shuddered as she held me, I tired to free my arms from the blanket that was wrapped around me, but it was wrapped too tight.
"Don't worry" is what I wanted to tell her, but my undeveloped vocal cords could only produce "Doo wooo".
Fortunately, that cooing worked, and she shook herself and gave me a warm smile.
"Would you like some milk master Xavier?" she asked me, her voice warm and rich. She produced a bottle from a bag and stuck the plastic nipple into my mouth.
I sucked on it and spat out the warm yet disgustingly thick milk. Ugh! That tasted awful!
"Oh!" startled the nanny dropping the milk bottle, and trying to clean the droplets off her blazer.
The scene seemed to amuse my father.
"Just give him some water Nina. Looks like he doesn't approve of cow's milk or that estrogen infested slop his mother tried to feed him." he chuckled.
The nanny, Nina, produced a bottle of water and offered it to me.
I drank greedily, the cool water soothing my throat. The blanket that I was wrapped in had loosened a bit, so I wiggled to free my arms.
With my arms free and out, I grabbed the bottle and pushed it away. Nina got the message and took the bottle away.
I clutched the sleeve of her blazer, reveling in the soft yet firm fabric.
Hmm, it seemed pretty high quality, not the typical polyester blended stuff that staff normally wear.
Nina giggled as I played with her sleeve and notched lapel.
"He seems to like you, Nina," my father said, glancing at her in the rear-view mirror.
"He seems to like my blazer more than me, sir." laughed Nina as I continued to play with her lapel.
"Alright, that's enough master Xavier. We've arrived" she said, gently pulling my hands away from her lapel and wrapping me back in the blanket as the car slowed to a halt.
She took me out of the car and carried me towards a set of large imposing doors. The doors opened, and we stepped into a grand entrance hall. "Come along, master Xavier, let's get you changed and into bed." Nina said as she carried me up a grand staircase.
I looked around, the house was huge, with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers.
We reached what I supposed was the nursery with bright blue walls and soft toys scattered around.
Nina carefully removed my baptism robe while I felt both pampered and embarrassed.
I mean I know I'm a baby, but I'm still a guy, and Nina is for want of a better word, smoking hot.
Fortunately, she quickly put me into a soft blue onesie and settled me into a crib.
Suddenly feeling very tired, I fell asleep.