Let Me In | Herophine Fic

All About You

HERO

As much as I'd love to curl up in bed and hold Jo tonight, we have too much to sort. All for a certain little someone who is now tucked up in bed, sound asleep. With Jo's help, I've really gone all out this year. Usually, Mercy helps me with this but this year, she took a step back and told me it was now a job for me and Jo to sort. It still baffles me that I'm a father, in general. Never mind the fact my daughter turns five tomorrow.

With Jo's help, from Amazon, we've got balloons, in various shades of pink, of course. Different banners, confetti, the absolute works to turn the kitchen and living room area into a pink wonderland for the little lady tomorrow.

None of this would have been possible without Jo's help. We've blown up all the balloons between us; very quickly we realised just how many packs we bought. But we both agreed we'd use them all and just pop them tomorrow night. It'll be one hell of a cleanup operation but I don't care. I just want to see my little girl happy on her birthday. It's always such a bittersweet time for me given the other thing on my mind and looming in a few days.

We've hung banners all around the living and kitchen area for her, all with different messages. Birthday Princess being a particular favourite. I know she'll love that. I know she'll love it all but I know that'll be her favourite by far. We've laid her presents out on the table in the unused dining area. Rather than wrap them all, we've put them in various gift bags.

Ever since she was young I've always kept her birthday gifts quite small. Christmas isn't that far away and I'd rather spend more then and say it was from Santa. Other footballers go absolutely crazy with their kids when it's their birthday but keeping it small helps to keep her humble. She knows she's luckier than most kids but I'm doing my damndest as I promised to raise her right. This is part of that.

Looking over to the table with the collection of pink birthday bags, I spot a bag that wasn't there before. Or if it was, I didn't notice it. With my interest piqued, I wander over to the table and sneak a peek inside the bag, spotting what looks like a teddy bear or plushie of some sort.

"It's from me," I hear behind me. Turning around, Jo stands there, smiling softly as she leans her weight onto the breakfast bar. Reaching inside the bag, I lift out the soft plushie and see it's a small kangaroo, wearing a little pink T-shirt.

"Well, I think you've just won yourself the prize of Mila's favourite present tomorrow," she laughs, taking a sip of her tea.

"You think?"

"Of course I did. I couldn't not get her a present. She's your little girl, it's her birthday and I'm here celebrating it with you. Obviously, I'm going to get her a present," I wander over to her, leaning down beside her on the island.

"She'll love it," reaching over, meeting her in the middle, I place a kiss on Jo's lips, lingering there just a second longer than I usually would. She smiles into our kiss, her hand coming to rest on my cheek until I pull away.

"Show me what you've got for her?" Nodding, I lead Jo over to the table and begin to show her what I've bought for Mila.

The first present I bought her was a princess dress from the Disney Store. It's Rapunzel's dress from Tangled. As soon as I saw it, I had to buy it for her. That way, she can match Jo - or rather who she compares Jo to. I bought her some storybooks as I'm trying to get her into reading more since she's started school and her last present is a clothes voucher. I'm hoping we can all have a day out in central London and she can spend the money by treating herself. I always try and keep her presents football free, she gets enough stuff as it is to do with the team.