GAME DAY- ALEXIA PUTELLAS

CHAPTER 8

A/N: Hellos darlings!! New day, new chapter. I hope you enjoy it and we see each other in the comment section. Lots of love, A!!

CLARA'S POV

After Ada had spent a while running around with Nala, both of them came back exhausted to where Alexia and I had been chatting.

- Mummy, do you have any water?

- Of course, darling, here you go- I say, taking off my backpack to get her bottle, which, of course, had to be a Barça one.

- Oh wow, what a cool bottle- says Alexia when she notices it.

- Yeah, Auntie Lorena gave it to me for my birthday, and I've been using it every day since.

- Well, it's super cool! I think I might ask the Three Wise Men for one, and see if they bring it to me this year- the blonde comments while putting Nala's lead back on.

- Have you been good?- my daughter asks- Because the Three Wise Men only bring presents to people who behave well, right, Mum?

- Yes, darling- I reply, while Alexia and I hold back our laughter- Maybe it's time we head home- I suggest as my daughter hugs my leg, still holding the Barça bottle.

- No, I want to stay with Alexia and Nala for a bit longer, please, Mum- Ada pleads with a pout.

- Sweetheart, I'm sure Alexia has lots of things to do.

- Actually, I don't have anything to do.

- See, Mum? Can we stay together a bit longer? Please, please...

- Alright- I say, giving in to her charms.

- I've got an idea- Alexia says as Ada hugs her- What if we go to my place and make something yummy for tea?

The question is more directed at me than Ada, as we both know the little one won't say no to such a plan. So, when I nod to indicate that it sounds like a good idea, the three of us, along with Nala, set off towards the captain's house.

- Alexia-  my daughter says after we've been walking for about five minutes- Can I hold Nala's lead for a bit?

The blonde nods and proceeds to explain how she should hold the lead so that neither she nor the dog gets hurt.

- Am I doing it right?- Ada asks after taking barely ten steps.

- Perfect, you're doing it perfectly- Alexia replies.

We arrive at her house not long after, with Ada still holding Nala's lead. At the entrance, we decide to take the lift. As we enter the captain's house, I'm overwhelmed by a sense of peace I haven't felt in ages, not since I was a teenager before my life turned upside down.

- Welcome to my home- says Alexia as she releases Nala's lead.

- It's beautiful- I confess, still observing everything from the doorway.

- Come on in, I'll show you around, and then we can get cracking in the kitchen.

Alexia shows us around her home, and Ada is amazed when she sees some of the awards the blonde keeps on her shelves.

- One day, I want to win as many awards as you- Ada confesses as we enter the kitchen.

- I'm sure you'll win even more, little one- Alexia assures her as she hands each of us an apron.

I help my daughter tie hers and then do the same with mine.

- And... what are we going to make?- I ask when the three of us are ready.

- How about some pancakes?- Alexia suggests, holding up a packet of flour.

- Yesss!- Ada shouts excitedly.

I help Alexia get out all the ingredients we need while Ada arranges them in the order the captain tells her.

- I think we've got everything- I say, placing my hands on my hips as I always do in the kitchen.

- Then let's get started- the captain replies.

Alexia and I move towards the counter, ready to begin, but soon we feel small hands tugging at our aprons.

- I can't reach- Ada admits, giving us a puppy-dog look.

- Wait, I've got just the thing- says Alexia, disappearing through the door and reappearing a minute later with a wooden contraption.

She places it right in front of the counter and unfolds it to reveal a wooden structure with a couple of steps and a small platform where I assume Ada should stand to reach the countertop. It even has a little barrier to prevent falls and accidents.

While I hold the bowl where we're going to mix the ingredients, Alexia ensures Ada pours in the right amounts of each ingredient. In the end, all three of us end up a bit covered in flour, but nothing that a bit of water can't fix.

- Who wants to help me mix all this?- the blonde asks, pulling a mixer out of one of the cupboards.

- Me, me, me! I'll help- Ada offers excitedly.

Alexia plugs in the mixer and starts mixing the batter, guiding my daughter's hands on the mixer with one hand while holding the bowl with the other.

- I think we might need a bit of help here- says Alexia- This mixer is pretty powerful.

I smile at the footballer's words and extend my hands to grip the mixer as well. As I do, Alexia places her hand over mine, giving it a gentle squeeze while still holding the bowl with the other.

Feeling her strong hand over mine sends a jolt through my entire body, making my legs tremble, and I question whether they can even keep me upright. I don't know what it is about this woman, but no one has ever made me feel so much with so little.

Once the batter is ready, Alexia takes out the pan we'll use and turns on the hob. In about twenty minutes, we've cooked and plated all the pancakes, ready to eat. During the entire time we were in the kitchen, Nala had been sleeping on the sofa, but as soon as she smelled the food, she came over to join us.

- Do you have any plans for next weekend?- Alexia asks while we eat.

- Not really- I reply after mentally reviewing my weekly schedule.

- Why don't you both come and watch us play at the Johan? We have a match early on Saturday afternoon, and then if you'd like, we can go see the Christmas lights. I think the switch-on is at seven.

- That sounds like a great plan. What do you think, darling?- I ask my daughter, who can only nod her head repeatedly and exaggeratedly because her mouth is full of pancakes.

- Then it's a plan- says Alexia, her smile beaming.

We finish our tea while continuing to chat happily, and then, after tidying up, Ada and I say our goodbyes to Alexia and head home. When we arrive, Lorena is already there, sitting on the sofa with her guitar, as usual.

Before taking off my coat and putting my things away, I send a message to Alexia to let her know we've arrived home safe and sound.

- Well, well, who do we have here?- Lorena asks, putting down her guitar to give Ada a hug.

- Today was an amazing day- my daughter confesses.

- What did you do to make your day so amazing?

- I went to Alexia's house, and I played with her dog at the park- Ada says, shouting as she runs to her room to put on her pyjamas.

At that moment, I enter the living room, meeting the curious gaze of my best friend.

- You've got a lot to tell me, young lady- she says, patting the sofa beside her.