herophine - Trouvaille

Chapter 36

Brixton, London - England, 2026

They were going to spend New Year's Eve with her so, what difference does it make the place? Instead of Martha coming over to Hero's place, the three family members are on their way to Brixton. 

It is a four hour car ride and everything can happen in it. However, everything seems alright despite the tension with the pictures taken. 

During the first sixty minutes of the trip, Sofía spent it singing loudly and joyful after pleading Jo to sing with her. Hero couldn't help but smile upon hearing the melodic voice of the woman sitting in the passenger seat. He knew that Josephine could sing since the first days he met her, but having her singing for an entire hour was a real blessing for his ears. For that whole time, it felt like their world was so calm and with no problems at all.

From the second hour until now, the little blonde girl sitting on the kids car seat at the back of the vehicle, has been sleeping deeply. 

At one point, Hero notices Josephine's frequent leg movement, a clear sign that something is buzzing around in her head. He is not really sure about it, but he does it. He removes one hand from the steering wheel and softly lays it on her left thigh, trying to subdue her tremor.

- Hey. - He catches her attention. - Are you okay? 

Jo turns her sight from the window and looks at him for a few seconds, doubting if she should share her thoughts. But, their communication has improved and she opens once more to him.

- I'm nervous. - She says quietly. - About meeting your mother, you know. 

Josephine was less nervous seven years ago than she is now, cause she just didn't have to meet Martha with a daughter whom she had abandoned. And the fact that she didn't get to know her, it makes her even more nervous.

- It will be fine. - He grins showing his dimples, before giving her a gentle squeeze. 

She is not sure if he is saying that only to make her feel better or if he really means it, but she really appreciates his effort in cheering her up. 

Shortly after, she slowly falls asleep against the window with Hero's hand still on her thigh and her own hand now over his.

Crosby, Liverpool - England, 2026

* Flashback: some hours ago*

The right thing to do at that moment was to go back to her bed in the living room, so Josephine walked downstairs without saying anything. Hero was still in his own world, trying to figure out by himself the best way to protect Sofía.

It has been an hour since she left him upstairs. She rolls again on the bed, not being able to sleep. The thought of leaving them after almost a month with them and all the progress made, hurts so bad. Well, Jo's feelings alternate between anger and confusion. Anger because Hero's first reaction is to pull her apart, and confusion because he is very mad and she doesn't really know why.

Unfortunately, the emotions from both of them are not allowing them to think with enough clarity and how to find a solution together. Nonetheless, Josephine has not spent her last years going to therapy to remain silent. And, honestly, she is tired of people deciding for her.

She gets out from bed and makes her way back upstairs. Inhale, exhale. She knocks his door, but this time she doesn't wait for him to open it and enters. Hero is standing by the opened window with a cigarette on his fingers. He turns to face her without saying a word and stares at her closely. 

On one hand, he has the feeling that Josephine is not willing one hundred percent to leave her career just to be with them. He is sure that he doesn't want to go back to the "I'm not famous" type of life, and he has even more clear that he doesn't want it for his daughter.