How Soon Is Now

Part Two - Chapter Ten: Liverpool vs Newcastle United

Nicola took a deep breath as she balanced Charlotte on her hip, she couldn't believe that she was actually doing this; she was about to watch her husband make his long awaited come back into the footballing world. 

Nora kept a tight hold on her stepmother's hand as they headed into the stadium, the crowds were beginning to gather for the match and it would be far too easy to separate a little girl from her mother if she wasn't paying attention. 

Nicola knew how much today meant for her husband, she was so proud of him for following his dreams and she was sure that he would be wonderful today for his first match back at his club. 

Nora and Charlotte were both dressed in their little jerseys, it was a surprise for Fernando for after the match; Nicola knew how much this was going to mean to him especially with everything that had happened in the past month. 

After Nicola had been released from hospital they had been informed that Olalla had been stripped of her magic and wouldn't be bothering the family again; it was a relief to the family after what had happened to them. 

Nicola was happy that everything had worked out in the end, she couldn't imagine what Fernando would have done if Olalla had killed her; she was just glad that they would never have to find out. 

"Mama where is papa?" Nora asked peeking up at Nicola, she hadn't seen her father since yesterday when he had left the house to join the team at their hotel for the night. 

Nora had missed him and didn't understand why he had been gone so long, she knew that he had asked her to be good for Nicola while he was gone and to keep an eye on her baby sister. 

"We'll see him soon," Nicola promised not sure how to explain to the three year old that her father was busy preparing for his first match; she was sure that Fernando was nervous enough about the entire situation.

***

Charlotte babbled happily on her mother's lap, the five month old was easily to calm and Nicola was glad that she wasn't a complete daddy's girl; she could only imagine the fuss that her daughter would put up. 

Nicola peeked down at the pitch and smiled, it wasn't hard for her to spot her husband and she couldn't deny how handsome he looked in his jersey; she had a feeling that she was always going to love him in red. 

"There's papa," Nora cheered clapping her little hands, she turned to her sister and quickly pointed him out to Charlotte who didn't quite understand what her big sister was talking about; she was just happy to grab onto Nora's hand. 

Nicola nibbled on her lip, the match was about to get underway and she had no idea how Fernando would be feeling; she had tuned herself out of her empathy and she knew that using her powers in a place like this was a very bad idea. 

"You look nervous," Alex Gerrard teased sitting down next to Nicola with her own three girls, she had promised Fernando that she would keep an eye on Nicola since he was a little worried how his wife would react to all of this. 

From this moment on Nicola's life was going to change, she wasn't just going to be Nicola anymore; the world would know her as Nicola Torres, the wife of Liverpool's Fernando Torres. 

"I just worry," Nicola replied with a shake of her head, she smiled at Alex knowing that she wasn't the one playing the match and she had no idea what to expect from this. 

Alex nodded her head, she knew what Nicola meant but she was sure that Fernando was going to have a good welcome back match. 

Fernando had done a lot of preparation to prepare for this match and Brendan wouldn't be playing him if the Spaniard wasn't ready for a match.

Nicola took a deep breath as the whistle blew to start the match, she couldn't ignore how nervous she felt and wondered for a moment if she was accidentally channelling her husband's feelings. 

Nicola shook her head, she peeked down at Charlotte hoping that the loud noise of the match wasn't too much for her; she pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head wanting to try and calm her nerves. 

Nicola's blue eyes wandered back to the match, she had picked out a red cotton bead and embroidered neck top and bootcut jeans paired with grey trainers for the match; she was comfortable on the warm late April day. 

Nicola felt her breath catch in her throat as Fernando got the ball, she watched as her husband rushed past two defenders and then the goalkeeper who rushed out to stop him; she almost couldn't stop herself from crying out as she watched her husband score. 

Alex grinned watching Fernando celebrate with his team-mates, she knew that he'd do something special for the match and watching him it was clear that he had made the right decision in coming back. 

Fernando kissed his wedding ring as he smiled to himself, he knew that there was only one person in his life that he could think at a moment like this; the woman that had convinced him to take a chance and return to playing football again. 

Nicola had done so much for Fernando, she had left behind her home and life for him to come to Liverpool, she was raising his children and if it wasn't for her then he would have been miserable right now.

***

"Papa," Nora squealed rushing from her place next to Nicola and over to her father, she was happy that he was back and she knew that he had been good; she wrapped her arms around his legs making Fernando smile. 

Ducking down to pick his daughter up, Fernando smiled pleased with how his first match had gone; he truly couldn't believe that he had played for Liverpool again. 

Nicola walked over to her husband carrying Charlotte, the little girl had just dozed off and she doubted that she would be waking up anytime soon. 

"You played wonderfully," Nicola said kissing her husband, she really didn't know much about football but she was sure that she would get into it for Fernando's sake; she peeked at Charlotte who was sound asleep. 

Fernando smiled at Nicola and nodded his head, he knew that he was glad to be back playing the sport that he loved even if it was only for another couple of years. 

Fernando gently brushed his fingers through Charlotte's brown hair, he couldn't believe that he had done that and he hoped that the next match would be just as good. 

"I think someone's ready to go home," Fernando mused smiling, he knew that Charlotte was still only little and he hoped that she would be okay until they got home. 

Nicola nodded her head, she couldn't express how proud she was of her husband after scoring his first goal back; she had no idea what she would do when things really started up. 

Fernando had joined Liverpool at the back end of the season, things were quietening down and there was only a few matches left before the summer break arrived. 

"Let's go home," Fernando murmured shifting Nora in his arms, he was glad that he had made the decision to return to club football; he was going to focus on that instead of fighting to return to the international team. 

Nicola nodded her head, she couldn't wait to see what else would happen now that things had gone so well for Fernando in his first match back.