Let Me In | Herophine Fic

So Much To Look Foward To

HERO

Pulling into my driveway, I can't ignore the excitement that courses through me knowing I'm coming home to my girls. Parking up in my usual place, I pull the handbrake up and switch the car off, sighing. Yesterday in Leicester went well. We went in at half-time level with them at 1-1 thanks to my goal and an equaliser from their number 9. But we managed to pull it back at around 65 minutes, during the second half. One of our defenders, our number 4 found the top corner from a header thanks to Trent's corner delivery. We're still in third place and have a good point's distance between us and fourth so we're sitting pretty.

Pushing out of my car, I close the driver's side door and head to the boot. Opening it up, I slide out my travelling suitcase and backpack before slinging it over my left shoulder. Pulling the door down, I lock my car and slide the keys into my back pocket. I can't wait to see them, I've missed them. I've only been gone a day but still, not sleeping next to Jo and being woken up this morning by Mila felt foreign. But it's back to normal now. I'm at home today and back in training tomorrow and the following day before celebrating New Year's. A year that holds so many possibilities because of Jo.

Unable to control the grin on my face, I push the front door open, peering around to see no one is downstairs as I expected. The TV's on, the sound drifting through but I don't see either of them in the kitchen or on the couch.

"I'm home," I keep my voice even but don't hide the excitement and the constant thrum of footsteps drawing nearer above me tells me that I'll see my girls in just a matter of seconds. Excitement washes over me as I close the door behind me and lift my eyes to see my little girl at the top of the stairs

"Daddy!" Mila bounces down the stairs, launching herself off the bottom step and into my arms. Leaning down, I catch her and pull her against me, swaying her from side to side. Even though we won yesterday, coming home to both Mila and Jo makes it so much sweeter. My next match is only in the new year so aside from training, I have some time with them before I play again. Although we're at home next time, at the London Stadium so Mila and Jo will be there with me.

"There's my princess, I missed you," I place a kiss on the side of her head and look up to see Jo standing on the second step. She's smiling, but there's something behind her smile. And the only thing I can point it to is tentativeness. Like she's nervous about something. Why would she be nervous?

I lift my head up and meet her gaze, smiling as I know Mila is. She's more excited than normal. I'd go as far as to say she's buzzing. She's never been this excited for me to return home, never.

"Hello, love," Jo's smile widens as I step towards her with Mila in my arms. She tightens her hold on me as I approach Jo, watching me carefully. Jo's arms extend out as she wraps them around us, sighing heavily. It's like she's relieved but nervous at the same time.

"Hi, you good?" I nod yes, noting the shakiness of her voice. As I wrap my arms around her, I hear a giggle fall from Mila when I place a kiss on Jo's lips. I'm so grateful I get to come home to these two.

"Yeah. We enjoyed our girl's night last night, didn't we, sweet pea?" Mila looks down at me, still giggling about seemingly nothing before scrambling out of my arms.

"Yeah! And now we have a surprise for daddy!" Looking down at Jo, I feel my brow begin to furrow and pull together tightly. A surprise? This must be the cause of Jo's tentativeness. But what surprise would cause her to be so... quiet? I don't think she's ever been this quiet. Mila takes herself towards the archway into the kitchen and living area but my curiosity is piqued. I know when Mila's excited, this is more than normal too.

"What are you so excited about, little miss?" Turning, she smiles and her eyes flit between me and Jo quickly. Her fingers motion across her lips like she's zipping them closed and smirking, she turns her wrist, locking her lips before continuing through the archway. Now I'm really intrigued and I know I'm not going to get anything from Jo. I suppose I'll just have to be patient and see what they've concocted.