Let Me In | Herophine Fic

I'm Okay With It If You Are

JOSEPHINE

We don't seem to be in the car long at all after leaving Claybury Park. I think Hero has apologised for me having to sit in the backseat because of Mila's car seat in the front about ten times. Repeatedly, I've told him it's absolutely fine. His car is just as lush in the back as it is in the front. Not that this should surprise me.

Rounding one last corner, we turn on to what seems to be a private road. There are only maybe four or five houses down here, all different in design and architecture. Hero turns onto the first house on the corner of the rounding road and it really doesn't surprise me this is his home. Not with him being a professional footballer. I wonder if any others live around here? I shake my head, hearing my name being called by him telling me we're here. Blankly, I stare at him, very much feeling out of my depth in a place like this. I've not seen the entirety of the house yet but stepping out of his car, I hear my breath catch in my throat as I take in his home.

In the shape of an L, a traditional, red brick house stands in front of us at the end of a large, paved drive. Two bay windows rest on either side of the grey, double front doors while above the doors, two tall windows climb up what looks like floors one and two. It's beautiful, the perfect mixture of modern and traditional. Forming the rest of the L is the double garage.

"You okay?" I nod, staying quiet as I look around wide-eyed as we head to the front door. Hero takes out his key and pushes the door open for Mila before allowing me to step in and again, my breath catches. I'm so out of sorts in a place like this. This is their home though and while I know they feel comfortable here, I feel very out of place. Never mind me feeling out of my depth last night, this is much more now I'm in his house. Mansion. Manor. Whatever the fuck you want to call it.

The large, white marble floor tiles line the square hall, complimenting the simple, smooth white walls. In the centre of the hall a solid oak, statement staircase, goes up to the first floor. To the left of us, an archway leads into what looks like the kitchen, where he's FaceTimed me from before.

"Do you want a drink?" I've no idea if he's asking either me or Mila or both of us but she answers for herself.

"Yes please, daddy. I'm going to get changed," quickly she scurries up the stairs turning left once she's on the landing.

"Don't look so... worried, Jo," Hero takes my hand and leads me through the arch into the kitchen. It's huge. A large breakfast bar and island sit in the middle, topped with white quartz against a dark blue, shaker style kitchen. The guy's got taste.

"Before you ask, I didn't design any of the house. I bought it like this," I laugh, taking a seat on one of the barstools. It's like he can read my mind. Can he read me that easily? His home is beautiful, it's a footballer's home for sure.

"It's beautiful. I think your hall would fit the majority of my place in it," he laughs, walking over to the kettle.

"Cup of tea?" I nod yes, doing my best to control my breathing and nerves at simply being here. I have to focus and think this is no different than being at the funfair with him. The only difference is where we are now, he owns and has a roof over us making it a much more enclosed space.

"I'm sorry about Mila, I know she's mithered you all day. I did tell her best behaviour before meeting you but clearly, she has her own version of that," He sounds embarrassed and exasperated. I've no idea what he's on about. She's been fine. Full on, yes but I expected that of her, really. She's only four.

"Don't apologise, she was fine. I nearly had a heart attack when she got off the horse while the merry-go-round was going though," the way she carelessly undid the straps and hopped off. I nearly fell off myself while catching her and lifting her onto the horse I was on.