Through Her Eyes - Alexia Putellas

Chapter Twenty-Three

Valerie didn't realise how much she had missed home until she returned back to her family in Milton Keynes, the street and rainy weather brought her a bittersweet nostalgia.

As her taxi pulled up outside the house, Valerie realised she hadn't told anyone that she was coming home, successfully avoiding the media who would do anything to get a headline on the footballer.

Breathing a nervous sigh, Valerie walked up the path towards the door, a suitcase behind her as she knocked loudly—butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she heard the familiar barking of Lilo, then a voice she didn't realise would bring her such anxiety.

"Darling?" Valerie's mum questioned, repeating herself once more when she realised it was really her daughter stood in front of her, "David? Come here!" Amanda yelled, excitement filling her voice as she shooed away Lilo before she dragged Valerie inside and into the warm hallway.

"What is—? Valerie?" Her dad, David, questioned and repeated himself like Amanda before laughing loudly and embracing Valerie in a tight hug, the blonde fell into his embrace as she hadn't realised how much she missed her parents until now.

Valerie didn't make an effort to contact her family while she was living in Barcelona, using the excuse that she didn't have signal or was too busy.

When they had finally finished hugging, the family sat down in the dining room and stared at their daughter in amazement.

"Lilo has missed you the most," Amanda smiled, holding the dog up for Valerie to take hold of, taking notice to how the blonde's features lightened when she embraced Lilo—the feeling of home gave her a sense of relief.

"I've missed him the most too." Valerie teased, laughing when she saw her parents unimpressed faces.

"Stop teasing them, would you? They've moaned enough about missing you to me." The familiar voice of her older sister made Valerie gasp as she turned and hugged Leah, taking her by surprise.

"Shouldn't I be the one reacting like this?" Leah laughed when they pulled away, and she sat down beside Valerie who was smiling uncontrollably, "Jacob couldn't make it, I'm sure you're devastated."

"Oh, absolutely." Valerie rolled her eyes, but a sadness crept over her as the entire family weren't there, blaming it on the fact she took them by surprise, "I didn't realise how much I missed youse..."

"Trust me, it feels nice to not be stuck with these two for any longer." Her dad gestures towards Leah and Amanda who rolled their eyes at his childish behaviour, while Valerie laughed as she was filled with happiness.

It was as if she had never left, like she was a child again and everyone was living in the home, before they grew up and moved away.

Valerie hated change. 

"We should celebrate by having one of Dad's famous barbecue's!" Leah cheered, as everyone agreed with her as the rain cleared and the sun began to shine by coincidence.

"As long as he doesn't burn the sausages again." Valerie whistled, laughing when David gave his signature glare before going outside to prepare the grill, Amanda soon followed him. 

For a moment, Valerie and Leah sat in silence, the oldest out of the two quietly observing how her sister's bright smile fell as she focused on her shoes.

"What's wrong, little bird?" Leah quietly questioned, watching as Valerie painted a fake-smile on her face as she awkwardly laughed at the sudden tension between them.

"That nickname," The younger deadpanned, wincing when she saw Leah glare at her, "What? It's horrendous."

"I'm trying to be serious here."