Coughing into her little hands Nell rested her head back against her pillow. She wasn't well, in fact to her it felt as if she would never get rid of this cold considering it had already been about 5 days now of having it. The amount of days of school would make most children happy but for her it was a nightmare. She liked school and enjoyed her time with her friends, being stuck in bed all day every day was not her idea of fun. She was bored, just fed up.
"Mummy" Nell said as Helena placed a cold flannel to her head. She had spent most of her time looking after her little girl. She was surprised that her cold was still around she even thought about taking her to the doctors to see if it was a flu. "Yes Sweetie?" Helena removed her hand from the flannel and gave her a small smile as she tucked her in her bed. "Can we go downstairs? watch a film or something?" she was desperate to get out of bed, desperate to do something other then sleep. Helena knew she was bored and for that she could only smile at her "Course we can, as long as you do get a nap sometime today, the more sleep you get the faster you'll get better" Nell couldn't help but nod excitedly at this.
"And, and can we please please please have Johnny over?" this took Helena by surprise, Johnny's name hadn't been mentioned in this house for a good couple of weeks. The last time she had saw him was when things between them had gotten well slightly out of control "I...I don't know..."
"Please mummy, I really want to see him" Nell pouted whilst giving her puppy dog eyes. "Darling he's a very busy man" Helena tried again not knowing herself if she really wanted to see him, with what happened last time she didn't know where they stood. She had tried her best not to think about him these last couple of weeks but if she were honest she was beginning to get feelings once again for him it was as if that wall she had put up after finding out he had cheated was beginning to crumble. He was making her smile once again even laugh and that she missed let alone being able to kiss him. But no! this was wrong she was letting go to easily forgiving to easily, she needed to remember that he is the bad one here he is the one that cheated. Yet, none of that seemed to matter anymore and for that she didn't know why, she hated it but the fact was still a fact she loves him and not even Helena knew what to do to convince herself otherwise.
"Nell Mark is coming over later can't he..." she was immediately cut off by Nell who continued to pout stubbornly before crossing her arms "No I want Johnny" she moaned which made Helena sigh and shake her head knowing at her. Nell reminded her so much of herself when she was that age, headstrong was only one word to describe her let alone bossy.
"Fine, if you want him you'll have to call him" she stated with a smirk before pulling out her iPhone from her trouser pocket and unlocking her phone to get to her contracts "Yay" Nell exclaimed pushing herself up in her bed excitedly and taking the rather large iPhone in her hands before holding the phone to her ear as it called for Johnny. Watching Nell smiling brightly as he picked up on the other end made Helena smirk at just how excited she was to ask him over.
"No it's not mummy it's me" was the first thing Nell giggled into the receiver. "I'm not feeling very well and I just wanted to ask if you would like to come round?" she continued to hear Nell say as she spoke to Johnny on the other end.
"Yes mum knows, oh please say you can come" she begged to which Helena rolled her eyes and pushed herself up from Nell's bed waiting for her to hang up the phone. "Yes! Thank you, I missed you so much Johnny..." this surprisingly pulled at Helena's heart string's she didn't know why yet that seemed to make her feel guilty as if she had been keeping him from her children. She knew she shouldn't feel guilty as they weren't even his but yet he had been more of a father to them then their own one and so that did make her feel slightly bad for keeping them apart.
"Ok! see you soon" Nell giggled happily before saying her goodbyes and hanging up the phone with a huge and excited smile on her face. "He's coming!" she exclaimed happily before pulling the duvet from her body and running out of the room still dressed in her PJ's to run down to the living room and keep watch for his car that would eventually pull up in their drive.
Helena too couldn't help but smile but she was smiling for a different reason as she picked up her phone from the bed. She was smiling because of how happy Nell was, she hadn't seen her smile like that for a good week or so now because she was so poorly. Seeing her daughter smile once again was like a drug to her, she just couldn't get enough of it.
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As soon as the door bell was rung Nell jumped up from her seat by the window and ran past her mother to answer the door. Helena heard him come in and smiled as she watched Johnny pull Nell up into his arms so that she could sit on his lap "Hey! how's my baby?" he asked her, noticing how sore her tiny nose looked, obviously caused by the many tissues and how pale her skin was. "Better now" she smiled hugging him tightly making him laugh. He smelt like the outside and his cologne she referred to as 'Johnny smell' filled her slightly blocked nostrils.
Placing a hand against her forehead Johnny frowned at her worryingly "I think you have a temperature, you're burning up sweetie" Helena made her way over to them at this point making herself known in the hallway "She is and that's why you should be wrapt up in the other room with all your blankets" Helena stated smirking at Johnny knowingly as she took Nell from his arms and placed her down onto he floor. "Go get yourself warm" she said to which Nell smiled between them both before rushing off into the large living room.
Looking at Helena as her smile followed Nell out of the hall it made him smile too only he was smiling at her "And how are you two?" he asked catching her gaze, watching him as he placed a hand over her baby bump. "We're fine" she sighed placing her hands over her very large baby bump running her hands up and down gently. "I see you haven't got your crutches, you must be on the mend then" Johnny gave a small nod at this "yes it's funny what a few weeks can do and some rather expensive physical therapy" the look her gave her told her loud a clear that he wasn't happy about the amount he had obviously paid to get professional help with healing his broken leg.
"You know you should really have nanny Anne take care of her, we can afford you getting sick" the concern was clear in his voice and his eyes seemed to scan her face as if trying to get a reaction.
"Nanny is away, holiday....besides I don't mind" Helena reverted her eyes back to her hands on her stomach "I hope coming here wasn't an inconvenience for you, I told her you were probably busy but she's just been so bored" Johnny shrugged his shoulders at this whilst smiling "Just an interview I had to cancel but that's not important" widening her eyes at this Helena couldn't believe he would do that. "Johnny, you shouldn't have done...." she tried astonished that he would cancel his plans like that for Nell.
"Course I should, It's family" he smiled his words sending shock waves through her system. "Come on"
Following him in the living room she watched as he made his way over to Nell and pulled her into his arms hugging her lovingly and stroking her hair from her face. Watching them like she was now Helena realised Johnny was right, they are a family a weird dysfunctional one but still a family.
"Can we watch a movie? a princess movie?" Nell asked Johnny jumping from the settee and her blankets and over to the flat screen Tv where she began raiding her dvd collection "Sure, you mean a Disney film?" he asked receiving an excited nod before she began pulling out film after film until she came across the one she was looking for. "Can we watch Cinderella?"
Helena rolled her eyes when she heard this "You've seen that one about a hundred times"
"Yes but it's my favourite...." Cinderella was her favourite Disney princess and was always her go to film whenever she felt down and needed cheering up. "Alright...Alright" Helena said placing her hands in the air as if defeated before she slowly sat herself in one of the single chairs that matched the main sofa.
"Johnny do you want anything to drink?" Helena asked shooting her gaze over to him "I'm alright at the moment thank you" his eyes instantly were drawn back to Nell as she came up climbing beside him on the sofa with the remote in her hand ready to play the movie. "Nell don't get to near Johnny..." Helena stated worried he may catch her cold.
"She's alright, if a cold is what I get in return for a cuddle with my little girl then it's worth it" he said smiling at Nell which made her grin sweetly at him. Helena also was touched by his words but apart of her wanted to call out the words 'Soppy' as she watched them cuddling on the sofa. They really were a funny little pair the two of them, she missed seeing such big happy smiles on her daughters face.
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Helena could feel her eyes drifting shut as she sat with her chin in the palm of her hand while trying to get through the end of the Cinderella movie. Clearing her throat Helena noticed that the end of the movie was drawing to a near and as she glanced over to her side she noticed both Nell and Johnny fast asleep together on the settee.
Slowly and carefully pushing herself up from where she was sitting Helena quietly switched the TV off before she turned round to see Nell fast asleep in Johnny's arms and him also having a nice afternoon nap. She couldn't help but find the picture in front of her so adorable and now as she stood there over them as they slept Helena could resist carefully pulling one of Nell's blanket over the pair of them to keep them warm.
This unfortunately made Johnny stir slightly before opening his eyes "Hel?" he whispered noticing how guilty she looked "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you" she said trying to stay quiet as Nell seemed to be in a deep sleep.
Looking at Nell fast asleep in his arms Johnny smiled lovingly at her as she breathed in and out. "She's so sweet" he whispered before watching Helena slowly crouch down on the floor being careful not to hit her baby bump as she eventually sat on the carpet beside the pair of them.
"Would you like me to pick up Billy from school?" he asked her catching her eyes as he said this "Thank you Johnny but..... Mark offered earlier" just the mention of his name made things slightly awkward and even Helena didn't know what to say next.
"I better clear out of here before he arrives then" Johnny couldn't help the slight irritation in his voice. Mark was sure to make a thing of it if he was round not that Johnny really cared but it wasn't fair especially in front of the children. "He's a good man Johnny" she said her eyes meeting his again those beautiful brown orbs he loves so much "I'm sure" was all he could mutter as he looked at her.
"Have you been thinking about baby names?" changing the subject seemed to the best resort at this precise moment, he didn't like whenever they were on the subject of Mark. "Well a few I thought maybe Millie? Rebecca? or Sophie?" Johnny pouted his lips in thought while his eyes narrowed "Mmm yes, I suppose" he said causing Helena to raise one of her eyebrows at him "You hate them all" she stated knowing far to well when he wasn't keen on something.
"No, I didn't say that but what about something like Lily? Anna? Andromeda?" Johnny tried but he stopped as soon as Helena began to giggle at his baby names "Andromeda? were having a baby girl not a 70 year old woman" she smirked trying not to laugh to loud as she didn't want to wake Nell.
"Ok well not Andromeda" he chuckled enjoying watching her smile brightly at him again. They had been smiling a lot recently and had begun to build their friendship up again. They were best friends at one point and therefore it was nice to be able to laugh and enjoy each others company like they used to before they ever got together. Looking at her now and looking at little Nell asleep beside him on the sofa Johnny knew in his heart that he always wanted to feel this way always wanted to be there, for HIS family.
"Hellie?" Johnny whispered making her look at him again "Mmm?"
"Should we discuss that night? The last time I was here?" this surprising made her smile sweetly. She knew what he was talking about, she knew he wanted to get on the subject of their little heated moment on this very couch yet now wasn't the time and so all she could do was simply shake her head softly "Not now, we got carried away in the moment Johnny that was all..." her words seemed to hurt more then it properly should have done. That wasn't all, he knew now that she still loved him, he knew that she still cared. "Besides I don't think it's an appropriate topic to be discussed with Nell here even if she is asleep" her warm smile she gave him as she spoke still didn't undo the slight disappointment he felt that she made nothing of their moment all those weeks ago. He had hoped that it had meant something, in fact he was sure that it had.
"Thank you for this afternoon Johnny, it means a lot to her that your here" Helena said before lifting herself from the floor and up to her feet. "I love being with her" she heard him reply as she straightened out her maternity dress. Feeling Nell begin to wake up in his arms Johnny looked at the little girl in his arms "Better now you've had a nap?" he smirked kissing her forehead as she sleepily rested her head against his chest "Uh huh"
"Can I get you a drink?" Helena asked Johnny as she bent down to stroke Nell's hair from her face. "No, I'm fine thank you I should be going really..." with this said Nell lifted her head suddenly in shock and shook her head "Noooo please don't leave" she mumbled hugging him tightly making the pair of them smirk at her as she protested "You can't leave me when I'm sick" she moaned like the child she was, wrapping her arms around his neck as if locking herself to him. Chucking at her Johnny pulled them both up from laying on the settee so that they were up right with her sitting comfortably in his lap.
"Don't make me feel guilty, you know I have go eventually" Helena felt her own guilt again just watching the two of them.
"I'll go get you some tablets sweetheart" Helena said before leaving the room, in some ways it felt like torture to see Nell so upset to see Johnny leave. She knew that he had been the best and closest thing they had to a real father and it tarred her apart to think they were having to lose him as well as their own real father.
As soon as Helena had left the room Nell had not waited a second before asking the question she had been longing to find the answer too, the very question that needed more of an explanation then just a simple response. "Why are you not living here anymore?" Johnny could feel his heart in his throat he could see the sadness in her sweet little eyes and it just killed him to think that he was the reason for such grief, he caused this gloom over the house. Guilt was an understatement for how he really felt this very moment. "Because my darling I did something stupid, when your older you will make mistakes and it's only now that I've had to learn from them" the confused expression on her face made him simply smile a half hearted smile before cupping her cheek. "Know that whatever has happened that I love you, I love you all so much"
The door to the house sounded and both him and Nell watched as Mark and Billy walked in the living room. The stunned expressions he was receiving from both Mark and Billy only made him look at Nell awkwardly. Billy didn't bother to say anything instead he just turned and left for his bedroom while Mark on the other hand just walked into the room as if he owned the place. "What you doing here Depp?" even his voice set Johnny's teeth on edge. He hated this twat hated him with his guts "I came to see Nell"
Looking between the two men Nell slipped down from Johnny's knee and pulled him up off the sofa to his feet. "I wanted to see him" she timidly spoke up sounding as if she was scared that her input would not be highly received from mark.
Mark simply looked at Johnny with daggers in his eyes. This man was like a bad smell, a stench that you couldn't get rid off "Nell come here" Mark said calmly this time reverting his eyes to the little girl only getting more irritated as she reached up to hold Johnny's hand.
"I said come here!" he yelled making her jump which instantly made Johnny step forward warningly "Don't shout at her! she wanted me over there's no law against that" Johnny's narrowed eyes looked as if he was in role for Sweeney Todd with the warning and protectiveness that was there glinting in his orbs.
"What's going on?" Helena suddenly came into the living room her eyes wide and worried as she heard shouting from the kitchen. Turning to her Mark met her concerned eyes "Nothing, this Pratt was just leaving" he spat in Johnny's direction. "Mark..." Helena began shocked for his sudden rudeness before being cut off by Johnny "It's fine Hel, he's right I was just leaving" pulling Nell up into his arms he kissed her cheek and stroked back her hair "Get better soon sweetheart, I'll see you very soon" Nell smiled timidly before hugging Johnny and allowing him to place her back to the floor.
As soon as he began to walk past Mark he was surprised to be stopped by Mark's hand firmly grabbing his arm "Give it up" he hissed before letting go of his arm go. Helena heard this and frowned as she looked between the two men who simply shared hard expressions between them. Johnny knew he meant 'give up' on trying to work his way back in this family and without giving him the pleasure of a comeback he simply just walked out of the room and into the hallway toward the front door.
Helena watched as Mark's eyes came in contact with hers and not even she could hold back the annoyance in her own eyes that he would talk to Johnny in such a way, again.
Walking out of the living room Helena caught up with Johnny and pulled on his arm to stop him leaving "Please ignore him love, he's just looking out for me" as soon as Johnny was turned facing her desperate face he watched as she slowly moved her hand off his arm "Am I really that bad of a person that I could cause even more upset on you all?" he sounded hurt and slightly angry as well and for that alone she couldn't help but step closer to him and shake her head "No Johnny, I like seeing you and so does Nell I can't thank you enough for today you made her smile again and once more you made me smile too" her words were sincere and her warm smile now was even more so.
"He may not like me being around this house but I don't like him here either, the fact he shouted at Nell nearly made me swing for him" Johnny stated moving closer to her as if he was now whispering it. He didn't want Mark to hear as he didn't want anymore drama this evening. It had been a lovely day and he didn't want it to be ruined even more. "Hellie you can't have him yelling at the children, there upset and confused enough" his statement made her nod. She knew he was right, she hated the fact Mark was trying to turn into the man of their home, he really didn't have the right to yell at Nell or Billy like he had been these last couple of days she knew it was wrong.
"By the looks of things he may have anger issues....and if he is to touch any of you so help me god I'll kill him" her eyes widened slightly at this and she was quick to check over her shoulder that he wasn't overheard by anyone. "Johnny don't say things like that" her heart was hammering nervously now, she knew how protective and jealous he could get and that only made her gulp nervously now. "Your my family each and everyone of you, you've all I got.....you know I'd do anything to protect you" as sweet as the sentiment was she still couldn't help feel nervous about what he was saying. Maybe it was just words, but still there was something there making her nervous about this.
"Anyways I'll see you tomorrow won't I? the premier of 'Harry Potter'?" he said jogging her memory that she had to try and fix together an outfit to wear for that "oh yes, wait your going?" she frowned "I had an invite, besides I'd like to see it" narrowing her eyes on him playfully Helena shook her head "You haven't seen any of the potter films" smirking as she said this he shugged before opening the front door "So, It's an excuse to see you again" he teased placing on his coat as she rolled her eyes "Soppy" she muttered before he turned to look at her.
"Something's never change" he added before saying his goodbye and leaving. He was right, somethings never do change.
A/N: Hi everyone!!! really really hope you liked this chapter, I'm eager to hear what you have to say about Johnny and Helena's relationship now:) also what do you all think of Mark now? do you think he's getting a little tooooo big for his boots? ahah let me know!!! Thanks so much for all the reads <3<3<3