Through the Years with Nick and Charlie

Finals...with a twist

Nick:

The championship match is finally here after over a month of playing in at least one game every week.

We're set to play at 3pm, going to the stadium at 1pm, but it's currently just now hitting 6am. I've tried everything to try and go to sleep, but the mix of nerves and also excitement is killing me.
I roll over, reaching for my phone that's on the nightstand. I scroll through a few different social medias before I end up on Instagram. I went through a few reels before I got a notification that Charlie was active on his account to. Usually I would question it, but now that we have Rome, being up at all awkward times is the new norm.
Only two minutes after I sent Charlie a DM asking if he could call me, I step into the hallway, pressing the green button that popped up on my phone.

"Hey" I say, sitting down between an ice and vending machine, phone propped on my knees so that my face is in frame. "...why are you up?!" He asks, so straightforward that it makes me chuckle "aren't you happy to see me?!" "Not at 6am...when you should be asleep" "says you!" "Yea, but I'm feeding your daughter!!!" Charlie says, angling the camera down to show Rome nuzzled into his chest. "Fair!!.." "so what's up with you?!" "I might piss myself the second I step on the pitch" "...I'd offer you a nappy, but I don't think you can fit Rome's" he says, trying to keep in a smile while I just look at him through the phone, straight faced! "Ok I'm sorry, but seriously...you need sleep" "I know...I just can't. I'm too nervous - but also excited... I don't know" I whisper, in the quiet place alone, but still not wanting anyone to hear me "what time do you need to be at the stadium?!" " at 1pm, but I think we have press at 12." "Well maybe I could come around 8am?!" He suggests and I sigh, relieved at the thought "please!" "Okay...but will you please at least try until then?!" "I've been trying!" I whine a bit as I get up, heading back to my room.
"Love you!" "Love you! See you in a bit" he replies before I hang up, getting back into my bed. I glance at the time...only 30 minutes have passed, so I still have an hour and a half until Charlie gets here - or when I'll finally get some sleep.

I sit in bed, doing a combination of watching the cartoons on tv and scrolling through my phone until Charlie sends a text

Char❤️
(8:03am) - open the door plz

I quickly get up, opening the door to Char and Ro! "...you look...exhausted" he sighs, welcoming himself into my room.
"Did you kick Sai out?!" Charlie asks, taking Rome out of her stroller before he hops into bed "No, he left to go see Jess like an hour ago" "gosh...what would you lads do without us!" He smiles at me as I join him on my bed "No clue" I sigh out, scooting down to lay my head on my pillow, in line with Charlie's waist so I wrap my arm around it. "You can get at least three hours if you go to sleep now" he says so I close my eyes and grab Charlie's hand, guiding it to my hair. I hear the small giggle that he lets out - or the last thing I remember before I actually go to sleep.

"Nick...baby...c'mon, time to get up" Charlie says while shaking me awake. I turn out of his touch, groaning at the sudden light that hits me once I open my eyes. "Excuse you...don't roll away from me!" "I didn't" I groan out as I roll back over, reaching my arm out to lay across his torso "mhmm... you've got to get up now though, press starts in 30 minutes" Charlie says, running his hand through my hair once more.
It takes me a bit to actually get out of bed, but once I do, I take a very quick shower, throwing on the matching England tracksuit that all players are given, specifically for match day.
I finish the rest of my hygiene in the bathroom before I walk out, rushing around to pack my bag in the ten minutes that I have left.

"I'll have a surprise for you at the stadium " Charlie mumbles into my neck as we hug at the door. I pull away frowning up my face "what is it?!" "You'll see...at the stadium" he repeats with a smirk on his face before pressing his lips against mine "I'll see you there!! Good luck with press" he says and I give him a kiss this time, along with one on Ro's head. "K, love you" I say and he says it back before I walk off into the hall.