USWNT & NWSL One-Shot Collection

^* - Royal III - R. Daly (England WNT)

POV: Rachel Daly

National team practice had me back in England, finally home, and how I missed home. We were mid practice when I spotted a few people freezing in place looking towards the tunnel. I kicked the ball I had been working with and turned as a whistle sounded. The team was headed toward the bench, and I caught sight of what had everyone's attention. It was Y/N. She had a small smile on her face as she scanned the faces of my teammates. I hid a bit as I watched her look for me. When she couldn't see me, she frowned and turned to the coach. Before she could speak up, I slipped behind her nodding to her security as I wrapped a hand around her waist, whispering in her ear.

"Looking for me?"

"Ms. Daly..." Y/N said softly, leaning back against me.

The whole team seemed stunned at how comfortable I was with Y/N.

"RACHEL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Ellen White yelled, getting ready to yank me away from Y/N.

"Why not?" I asked, holding Y/N tighter.

"Because that's the QUEEN!" Lucy Bronze added.

"Yep." I shrugged, pulling away to stand next to her. "Your point?"

"Ladies, Rach and I are quite familiar. Her actions are not against my will. Plus if I didn't want her contact, my security would have stopped her." Y/N spoke up, waving away the concern. "I've come to see practice, feel free to continue. I would join you, however my security would absolutely hate me."

I laughed softly knowing that it was unlikely that she would be able to play professionally again. Perhaps she will one day teach her children how to play. I guess I had been lost in thought, as I was brought back to the present with a kiss to my cheek.

"Rach?" Y/N asked.

"Yes love?" I spoke up without thinking of my words. No one was around us so it really didn't matter.

"Welcome back. Did you get lost in thoughts there babe?" She wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Yeah."

"What were you thinking about?"

"You, teaching our kids how to play soccer." I admitted, pressing my forehead to hers. "I want that to happen so much."

"After practice, make your way to Windsor. Tell the guards your name. They will let you in, and one of the butlers will bring you to me." Y/N whispers, as she leans up to kiss my cheek. "I love you. Now go play. I wanna see my baby kick some ass."

"I love you, Y/N."

"DALY LETS GO!" one of the players called, while the rest of the team giggled.

"Go on."

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POV: Y/N

I watched the team play for a bit, before speaking to the coaches and excusing myself. I took one last look at Rachel as she took a shot and managed to get a clean tackle against Lucy Bronze. I headed back home with a smile on my face.

Three hours later, a knock sounded on my office door.

"Come in." I called out, not bothering to look up from the file in front of me.

"Your majesty." Marcus spoke up, getting my attention. "Ms. Daly is here."

"Bring her in and can you also bring some snacks, proteins, and tea please." I stood.

"As you wish." He said, stepping aside and allowing Rachel into my office. He disappeared shortly after, leaving Rachel and I alone.

"Hello love." I opened my arms, she crossed the room and scooped me into her arms.

"I've missed you so much." She whispered, pressing a kiss to my pulse. "I have something for you from the team, but its back at my flat."

We sat and talked for a while as we ate the food that Marcus dropped off. The whole time my mind kept going to what I needed to talk to her about.

"Y/N. You are distracted." Rachel said softly, holding my hand. "What's got you distracted?"

"We need to talk." I said, knowing that the words alone would cause her concern. "It's not bad, just serious." I saw her calm slightly. "By English Law, a monarch must marry someone of Title." She nodded, a frown crossing her face. "I can't imagine marrying anyone other than you. So I took things into my own hands."

"What do you mean?"

"Two weeks ago, I bestowed a title as I am allowed to do." I smiled softly. "The Earldom of Essex, specifically." I could tell she was confused as to why I was telling her this. "Rachel, it was your father. Your father is now Earl Martyn Daly of Essex."

"Wait, what?" She shifted on her chair.

"I specifically told you, I don't want to be with anyone other than you. So I made it possible." I explained. "You are now titled, so if we wanted to, we could get married." I took a breath, afraid that I had stepped too far.

"Ok." She said, as she let everything settle in her mind.

"Are you ok?" I asked, taking her hand once more.

"Yeah. I'm a bit surprised that you went that far." She admitted.

I sat on the couch next to her, pulling her into my arms. We sat quietly for nearly an hour before a knock sounded at the door. With a sigh, I stood and called for them to enter. Rachel stood as well, knowing that etiquette said that if the Queen wasn't sitting, no one else would be.

Marcus appeared, looking at me. "Your Majesty, The Prime Minister and the Head of Parliament are here to speak to you."

I nodded, sighing. "Marcus, can you take Rachel up to my private office? Set a place at the table for her as well, she will be joining me at dinner with Uncle Harry and Aunt Meghan."

Rachel's eyes went wide for a moment, before she went to follow I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her to me.

"I love you." I whispered, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"I love you." She whispered back, her eyes locked on Marcus.

"Don't worry, he likes you because you make me happy." I smiled. "I'll see you as soon as I can. My tablet is set up with Netflix and Hulu. If you want it, the tablet password is our jersey numbers."

She laughed softly nodding. "See you soon."

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A/N: Well Rachel now knows she's eligible to actually marry Y/N.... but what happens now? We are at the mid-way of this series of One Shots. 

Word Count: 1087