herophine - Trouvaille

Chapter 19

London - England, 2020

- I won't bring her here, if you keep being this annoying. - Hero rolls his eyes. 

- Oh, come on. Don't be such a party pooper. - Martha laughs. - I'm finally meeting my future daughter-in-law, let me get excited. 

After wrapping the last two films at Bulgaria, Hero went back to his home with his family to spend the Christmas holidays together. He has been talking to Jo whenever they can and time difference lets them. 

They have always been close since they met and Bulgaria was absolutely the key. They finally admitted how they felt for each other, though they haven't tagged or named their relationship. For the moment, they are just enjoying. Hero proposed her a quick trip to England a few days ago, as a first step on their new relationship. Jo wasn't sure at first, but she finally agreed that in February she could go before starting with Moxie's promotion. 

- Mom! Stop it! - Hero starts freaking out. - We are not even dating... well, not in a formal way. - He tries to explain. - The truth is that we haven't talked about what we are, it's been only two weeks since we left Bulgaria. 

- You are not dating, but she is coming to England just to be with you. - His mother grins.

- I am definitely taking her on a tour. - Mercy, who has been part of the conversation too, says happily. - And shopping!

- Definitely not. - Hero says quickly. - I am the one taking her on a tour, guys! 

- Whatever, but we are going to be the best of friends. - Mercy says laughing and annoying her brother once again.

- That's it. - Hero loves both Fiennes's girls, and pretending to be annoyed is another way to express their love in their family. - I'm not bringing her home... We will stay in a hotel. - He says smiling.

Crosby, Liverpool - England, 2026

- Wait, what? - She is really confused.

- She came back. She wants to meet Sofía and I couldn't say no. - Hero explains.

Both siblings are sitting on a bench at Moorside Park, while Sofía plays in the slide with other kids.

After talking that morning with Josephine, they decided to meet again at seven o'clock for dinner. Hero works after lunch with the soccer team and, even though Sofía finishes nursery just one hour later, it doesn't make sense for Jo to be all day at their house. She could have babysat Sofía, but it wasn't right if the little girl isn't comfortable yet and Jo is not even sure if she wants to do it by her own. 

For that reason, Mercy was the responsible one to pick her niece up and take care of her, like every time that Hero can't do it.

Hero decided that Mercy should know what is going on with Josephine, because she is as involved as him in Sofía's life. He texted Mercy to meet him at the park next to the fields where he works, and he starting telling her everything since he received the news from Inanna about Josephine.

- Is she going to stay? - Mercy asks carefully, both knowing what she refers to.

- I don't really know... I would love to say she is, and for Sof's sake, I hope she does. - Hero admits. - It took me a lot to start this conversation with Sofía, just to have Josephine leaving again. So, I hope she does stay.

They remain in silence for a few seconds, before Mercy breaks it with some Fiennes-Tiffin humour. Their way to heat out the issue.

- Well... if she stays, she is going to need a tour. She never got to do it. - She half smiles. 

Deep inside, Mercy believes that it isn't possible to be the best of friends with Jo, just like she thought years ago they would be. On one hand, she is Hero's sister and it's her duty to think that way. However, on the other side, Mercy is nobody to judge what Josephine has been through and tries to soften the situation her borther is dealing.

This is something that only Hero and Jo can solve and try to overcome, mainly for their daughter. And maybe, for them. Because, maybe, there are still feelings. 

They met nine years ago, fell in love six years ago, and then took different paths. Therefore, they stopped knowing each other long ago, and that's a good reason to not have feelings for each other anymore.

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Hey,

this chapter might be less intriguing than others, but i need it as a transition to the next ones. 

Hope you still like it :)

Xx