Alex POV - Five months later
"Okay. I'm nervous. Are you nervous?"
I look at Jeri, "Of course I'm nervous. It's her first game back."
"Are they sure that she's ready? Like really ready?"
I nod, "They're sure."
"But-"
"Can you shut up? She's ready. She worked incredibly hard and I know that she's nervous, but won't tell anyone. So send positive vibes." I snap.
She stares at me and nods, "Damn. Momma bear, down."
I huff, "I just-I am nervous. I'm worried and so scared that she will get hurt. I need someone that's staying positive."
She rubs my back, "Okay. You're right. She's got this."
I watch as they start coming onto the field to warm up.
Serv walks up the bleachers and sits down with Noah, "Ah, there's our girl."
I smile and look to see Sawyer walking to the field.
She gets to the edge and stops.
"What is she doing?"
I turn and see Makena.
"I'm not sure."
She turns around and heads back towards the locker room and shakes her head, stopping again.
"Shit. I know what's wrong. I'll be back."
I stand up and head down, walking until I'm closer.
"Ugh. Stop being a baby, Sawyer." I hear her mutter to herself.
"Sawyer?"
She jumps and turns, "Hi, momma."
I soften, "What's going on, baby?"
She sighs, "Nothing. I just um-forgot something."
I bob my head, "What did you forget?"
She shrugs.
I hum, "Seems to me like you forgot your courage."
Her head snaps up, "I'm not scared!"
I sigh, "Baby, you're nervous, maybe a little scared, and you know what? That's okay. You suffered a traumatic thing, an injury that could've ended your soccer playing days."
"Not really making me feel better here, momma..." she mumbles.
I stare at her, "Do you love to play?"
"What? Of course I do, you know that. Pretty sure I drove everyone insane with how much I love to play."
I smile, "With sport, there comes risk. But even if, if, Sawyer, you get hurt again, you'll get through it. You got through this, you can get through anything. Your whole support system is here, okay. You can do this."
She smiles, "Okay, momma."
I kiss her on the head, "Go get 'em baby."
She turns around and takes off for the field, "I'm 19, momma!"
"Still my baby." I say more to myself.
I walk back to the bleachers and sit next to Serv, "Momma pep talk?"
I nod, "Yup. She's scared, nervous. She'll be okay."
"Is she starting?"
I shake my head, "She's on limited minutes. That was a different phone call earlier this week. She was so angry."
