born and raised at arsenal

-part 1-

Beth's pov:

This week is my first week back at arsenal as a player. Yes, I have been to visit the girls and have meetings with Jonas but today I properly return to the squad. I have been out for a year looking after mine and Vivianne's daughter,  Isabella. Viv tried to stay home with me but she was in her absolute prime and doing so well with football so she continued playing. But now I'm coming back, and it's safe to say I'm nervous.

***

I slowly wake up and roll over to see Viv lying next to me still asleep.
"Viv honey wake up" I whisper kissing her head.
She cuddles into my side, keeping her eyes closed.
"five more minutes?" she says kissing my shoulder softly.
"ok fine, but no more than that"
Viv doesn't reply, she just tucks her head into the crook of my neck.

After 10 or so minutes we both wake up to crying.
"I told you we needed to get up" I say laughing as we walk to Isabella's room. When we get there she stops crying. I walk over to her crib and slowly pick her up.
"hey baby girl! shall we get some breakfast?"
she nods her head and plays with my hair.
We all walk downstairs and Viv cuts up some strawberries and puts some dry cheerio's in a bowl. I put Isabella in her high chair and Viv gives her the food. She kisses her head and then starts making eggs for her and I. When they are done, we sit at the kitchen island so we can all eat together.
"you ok?" Viv says to me sweetly.
"Yea fine, just a bit nervous that's all."
"don't be my love, everyone will be so happy your back."
"yeah" I say halfheartedly and I put everyone's plates in the dishwasher.

Whilst Viv changes Isabella, I put together a bag with everything she will need like bottles, change of clothes and nappies. Then I walk upstairs and Viv and I get dressed while Isabella plays with some of her toys.
"So what shall we do with her when we both have to train?" I say with a worried look on my face.
"I talked to Jonas and some of the staff and they said they've made a room especially for Isabella."
"ok good that's good"
"it's all going to be ok Beth" Viv says giving me a quick kiss and then hugging me.

A while later Viv puts Isabella into the car and I load all of our bags in the boot. Viv and I get in the car and she starts driving to the arsenal club house.

***

When we get there, I take Isabella out of her car seat and hold her hand as we all walk in to the building. As soon as we walk into the changing rooms, Isabella let's go if my hand and shouts.
"AUNTIE LEAH" she says running into Leah's arms.
"Hey munchkin!!!" She picks her up and tickles her. "How are you?!"
Leah stops tickling Isabella and shifts her round so she's sitting on her hip.
"Good!" Isabella replies excitedly.
"And how are you?" Leah asks looking at Viv and I.
"Fine thanks" I answer.
Leah gives me a look as if to say 'I can tell you're lying' but I shrug it off and get my boots and shin pads out of my bag.

An hour or so later it's time for training so I leave Isabella in her room with one of the staff. Viv and I say goodbye and then join the other girls and walk down to the pitch. Leah slings her arm around my waist.
"Glad to have you back beffy, I missed you"
"Glad to be back le"
We exchange smiles and then continue walking.

When we get to the pitch we put on our boots and make our way into the grass. We stretch and warm up and then do some drills before playing a match.

Training lasts 3 hours and then we have 1 1/2 hours gym session. So by the time we are finished it's lunch.

***

Viv gets Isabella from her room and brings her to the table to eat lunch. She sits on Viv lap but when she sees Leah sit down at the table she reaches for her. Viv passes her over to Leah and she sits calmly on her lap.
"Hungry?" Leah says looking down at the child resting on her legs. Isabella nods her head so I get her food out of her bag. She has cut up banana, a little bit of pasta and a yoghurt. She eats her banana first and then has some of her pasta. I try to offer her the yoghurt and the rest of her pasta but she wasn't having it. Instead she leans back into Leah.
"Do we have to do anything else today?" Leah says to us across the table.
"No, don't think so."
"Okay good because I think this one is getting very tired."
She looks down at Isabella who nods her head and rubs her eyes.
"I'll take her to the room and lay her down for a nap then" I say walking round the table to Leah. But when I try to pick Isabella up, she holds onto Leah's hands tightly.
"I want to stay with auntie le" she says cutely.
"but if you are tired you have to go to your room" I reply to her.
"It's ok Beth she can stay with me, I'll bring her to her room. I think it's time for my nap anyway" she says yawning.
"yay!" Isabella says hugging Leah.
"Thanks Leah"
"No problem" she says smiling at me.
Leah then holds Isabella in her arms, stands up and then walks to her room.

***

Leah's pov:

When I get to the room Isabella is already almost half asleep. I lay down on a sofa and she rests her head on my chest, cuddling into me. I kiss the top of her head.
"sleep well bels" I say before she drifts off to sleep.

I stay on my phone for a little while but not long later I start to feel tired and my eyes get heavy. I put on phone on silent and slip it into my pocket. Then I rest my head on Isabella's and close my eyes.

***

Viv's pov:

Beth and I walk into Isabella's room 45 or so minutes later to see her and Leah both fast asleep cuddling on the sofa. Beth took a picture and posted it on her instagram story.

(obviously pretend it's Leah and Isabella)
She captioned it "Auntie duties 💞" and I reposted it.