How Soon Is Now

Part Two - Chapter Fifteen: Strange Magic

Fernando smiled down at Nora while they walked through Sefton Park ahead of Nicola who was pushing Charlotte around in her pram; it had been a while since the footballer had been in this park and he remembered jogging around it when he had been at his peak. 

Nicola was quiet as she followed after her husband and step-daughter, she had started to think about Christmas and she couldn't believe how fast the holiday was approaching; she wished she knew how to slow time down. 

"So what should we do for Christmas this year?" Nicola asked Fernando curiously, they would be alone for the holidays with the children and she was sure that Fernando's parents wouldn't be coming over this year. 

Fernando was secretly looking forward to the holidays, he loved the idea of watching his two daughters open their presents; Nicola preparing Christmas dinner and him getting to carve the turkey. 

Nicola grinned at her husband spotting the look on his face, the Spaniard looked at her as she shook her head; they were enjoying their time together and she was sure that they would get more time together soon. 

"I don't know yet," Nicola replied with a shake of her head, it would just be the four of them and she knew that things were going to be busy; Fernando would be expected to play for his club over the holidays leaving Nicola with the children alone. 

Fernando nodded his head understandingly, he was getting used to having his life to return to what it had been before he had met her; he wanted to have more time with his wife and daughters, he knew that it wasn't possible at that moment. 

"Do you want me to push the pram?" Fernando offered as he stopped walking, he didn't want to leave Nicola to do everything and he wanted to show that he was capable of helping her. 

Fernando couldn't imagine what would happen if he ever lost his wife or children, he loved them all so much and things had been so peaceful in the last few months.

Nicola slowly nodded her head before she moved to allow Fernando to take the pram, she smiled watching him fuss over Charlotte; she was glad that things had been so quiet for them and she didn't want any more trouble coming their way. 

Charlotte clapped her hands and squeaked at her father, her brown eyes staring up at Fernando as Nicola moved to take Nora's hand and they continued walking through the park. 

"So what do you think Santa will bring you for Christmas?" Nicola asked smiling down at her step-daughter, she knew that Nora must feel shut out sometimes and she wanted to put an end to that. 

Nora smiled at Nicola before starting to list what she wanted for Christmas, she was looking forward to spending Christmas in the new house; she was excited since she was sure that she would get loads of presents for being a good girl. 

Out of sight of the family of four, Charlie watched them from a distance with a sad smile on her face; she knew that she couldn't approach them and it was for the best. 

The small family talked about their plans for Christmas and how Fernando and Nicola would make it a special one for their two daughters; they wanted it to stand out since it was the first in their new home and they didn't want to mess things up. 

Charlie followed them silently, she watched how they interacted as they talked and laughed; it made her jealous as she recalled how her family had been when they had last been together. 

Charlie wanted nothing more than to run up to Fernando and Nicola and to warn them what was coming for them; she didn't want to ruin their lives with the information that she carried or make things worse. 

Charlie sighed continuing to follow them until they were approaching their car; she stayed hidden in the trees as they settled Nora and Charlotte into their car seats.

Nicola peeked at Fernando, she didn't know what he was going to do but she knew that he wasn't happy; she eyed her husband for a moment before she checked on the girls knowing that she didn't want them to get hurt. 

"Are you going to follow us home as well?" Fernando called out to her making Charlie stiffen as Fernando stared straight at her while Nicola closed the car door behind her; she should have known that they would have noticed her. 

The couple waited for a moment as they watched the spot where Charlie stood, they wanted to know why she was following them around the park; they had noticed her when Fernando had started to push the pram, they hadn't said anything in case they had been wrong. 

"We know you're there," Fernando snapped starting to get a little irritated with whoever had been following them, he didn't want any harm coming to his wife or children; he stepped closer to Nicola who still hadn't gotten into the car making him nervous. 

Charlie sighed stepping out of the tree line and slowly approached them, she kept her head down not wanting them to recognise her; there was no way around her talking to them now. 

Nicola watched the younger woman approach them, it slowly started to dawn on her why she recognised her and she felt breathless at the thought of what could be happening. 

Fernando, however, glared at Charlie as she stopped in front of them; he recognised her as the waitress from the night before who had served them their meal before disappearing without a trace. 

"I don't care who you are but I want you to stay away from my family," Fernando hissed as Nicola stared at the brunette that was stood in front of them; she couldn't believe this and she wondered how it had happened.

Fernando didn't notice his wife's speechlessness, he was too angry at the fact that the waitress had taken to stalking his wife and children; he considered calling the police so that it wouldn't happen again. 

"Stop following us," Fernando spat shaking his head, he loved his job but he wished that people would realise that he didn't want to be harassed all of the time when he was with his family. 

Charlie peeked at Fernando before she looked directly at Nicola, she swallowed realising that the blonde had figured her out; she really wasn't surprised since she knew how clear and smart the woman was, she hoped it wouldn't freak her out. 

"Nando..." Nicola whispered resting a hand on her husband's arm, she couldn't take her eyes off Charlie and she wondered why the hell she hadn't noticed it sooner. 

Fernando frowned turning to look at Nicola, he stared at the look on her face when he realised that she wasn't even looking at him; he followed her gaze wondering why she was looking at Charlie like that. 

Nicola took a nervous step forward before she looked back at Fernando, she didn't know how this had happened; she had never heard of anything like this in her entire life. 

"It's Charlotte... she's Charlotte, our Charlotte," Nicola explained making Fernando stare at her confused before looking at the brunette then back at toddler in the car; he looked back and forth for a moment as it slowly started to sink in. 

The brunette stood before them was their daughter, Charlotte and Fernando had no idea how that was possible; he opened and close his mouth not sure what to say. 

"Hola Papa... Mama," Charlie greeted with a small smile looking at them, she was in so much trouble when the others found out.