CHASING GOLD: World Cup

Chapter 14

"Alex..." Tobin started. "Ever since I met you, I knew we had a special connection. On the field and off. Every touch on the ball I had, I was able to find you as if you knew what I was thinking. And almost every time, we made something out of it. I love when we play games together because I love how competitive you get and how focused you get. When we play national team and Portland Thorns games, you're always so in the zone. When I first told you about Andy and what had happened to me, you didn't run away. You sat patiently and listened and I had never felt so loved. I had never felt so seen. And you were there when I told my family I was gay. You stayed with me on nights when I couldn't sleep. You helped me through panic attacks. Through injuries. When we won the gold at the Olympics for the first time. And then the World Cup in 2015. You always stayed with me. I knew I think from the beginning I loved you way more than I should have but I didn't care. I finally realized I loved you when you chose to come to me after we had just won the gold. So to put it simply. Alex, I have loved you for a long time. And I understand if you don't feel the same way, but, I love you Alex. I always have. And I always will." Tobin said. She looked over at Alex who had tears in her eyes. Tobin was about to get up and go back inside but Alex pulled her down and kissed her gently.

Tobin had never experienced a kiss like this one before. Neither had Alex. Fireworks and butterflies erupted in their stomachs at the first touch. The two poured so much emotion into the kiss, both having been wanting to do it for a long, long time. When they finally pulled away, Alex rested her head against Tobin's. "I love you too Toby." Alex whispered. And those words were all Tobin needed to hear. She pulled Alex back into a hug. When they finally pulled away, Tobin grabbed Alex's hand and they headed back inside.

"Hey Lex?" Tobin asked. Alex looked up at her. "Two questions. One. Will you be my girlfriend?" Alex smiled brightly.

"Yes Toby. Yes I will." Alex said, kissing Tobin again. Tobin fist pumped the air, making Alex laugh.

"And two, what would you think about being Andy's other guardian?" Tobin asked. Alex smiled.

"I would love to." Alex said, smiling brightly and kissing her, now girlfriend, again. The two walked happily, hand in hand to Andy's room.

Andy smiled as she saw her mom and Alex holding hands as they walked into the room. "I take it the conversation went well?" Andy asked, smiling. Tobin nodded. Andy fist pumped the air just like her mom had done a few minutes earlier. "So Alex..." Alex turned and looked at Andy. "Does this mean I can call you mom too?" Andy asked, sheepishly. Alex's eyes brightened and she smiled.

"If you want to do that, I would not be opposed to it." Alex said. Andy smiled brightly.

"Well then. Congrats mom and mama on finally getting together." Andy said. Her moms smiled at her. "'Bout damn time." A few minutes later, the nurse came in and gave Andy medication, crutches, double checked her knee brace and handed Tobin and Alex Andy's release papers. Tobin checked her watch to see that it was about 10 pm.

"The team waited for us." Tobin said to Andy. Andy nodded and they got into an Uber and arrived at the hotel to see the big bus waiting. "Everyone got our things already. All we have to do is get on the bus." The three got on the bus and sat down. Alex and Tobin sat next to each other as Andy wanted to sit next to Theo.

"Hey Andy." Theo said softly as Andy sat down. Andy gave her a weak smile.

"Hey T." Andy said. Theo gave her a sad smile.

"How are you?" Theo asked.

"I'm ok." Andy said, looking down. She played with the strap on her brace. "I tore my ACL." Theo frowned. She grabbed Andy's hand.

"How long is your recovery going to take?" Theo asked.

"9 to 12 months." Theo nodded. Andy put her head on Theo's shoulder as the bus started moving. Soon after, Andy fell asleep as did Theo.

"You think they'll ever figure it out?" Alex whispered to Tobin as the two watched Andy and Theo cuddled up together. Tobin smiled.

"I think in time our daughter will figure everything out." Tobin said. Alex blushed and looked at her girlfriend. Tobin looked at Alex when she felt her eyes on her. "What?"

"You said our daughter." Alex said, shocked. A smile bright on her face. Tobin nodded.

"Yeah. I mean. You're my girlfriend," she whispered. "And besides, Andy thinks of you like her other mom. Might as well just tell it how it is." Tobin explained. Alex smiled at her girlfriend. Alex leaned into Tobin. Alex soon fell asleep on her girlfriends shoulder. Tobin grabbed a blanket and wrapped it over herself and Alex. She smiled and kissed Alex's head. It was dark enough that no one could see them so she felt safe doing it. She and Alex weren't quite ready to tell the team that they were officially together.

As the hours dwindled by as they came closer to Cincinnati, Tobin's thoughts raced around in her mind. At the World Cup, whether or not we win, I will propose to Alex. No doubt about it. Soon enough though, Tobin drifted off to sleep. Content that her daughter, despite her injury, was happy. Alex Morgan was her girlfriend. The national team was heading to another game. Qualifiers were about to start for the World Cup. Kristie Mewis, after 6 years, was back on the roster already having a few goals on the score sheet. Hope and Kelley finally got their shit together and started dating. Press and JJ got their shit together and started dating. Hope and Kelley were most likely going to adopt Theo and Press and JJ were going to adopt the little ones. Everything so far was falling into place for the national team.

And not much could stop them.