Are you it for me?

New Beginnings

Jessie was the most talked about player when the transfer portal hit. She would be going to the Portland Thorns to team up with her Canadian teammates Janine Beckie and Christine Sinclair. It was a fast process she wasn't expecting it. She wanted to finish her contract for 2025, but she wasn't getting enough minutes and the Olympics were coming up again. When Portland reached out to her manager about wanting Jessie for the 2024 season, she had to make a tough decision. Jessie loved being at Chelsea. She created great friendships and got to train with world class players that made her better everyday.

Jessie shared an apartment with Niamh for the very first time. They decided to move in together as they both were contracted to Chelsea until 2025. Now that they both are officially dating, life couldn't have been better. After a disappointing World Cup for Jessie, she continued to cheer for Niamh. She stayed a couple days extra and silently watched Niamh play in the semi-final against Australia. Jessie couldn't stay for the Final game as she was taking a quick vacation with her family. When the Chelsea season began, Niamh was regularly starting. Jessie began to make the starting line up some when Guro was out with an ankle injury. Jessie would finally make her 100th appearance against Manchester City, resulting in a draw. Niamh surprised Jessie with a cake when they got home. Jessie felt appreciated by this gesture. For the first time Jessie said, "I love you." Jessie and Niamh had said love you's before but this is the first time it meant something more than just a friendship. Niamh kissed Jessie and said "I love you too!"

Jessie had the lowest of days when Chelsea played Real Madrid. Jessie got to play the full 90 minutes, but on one of the plays she made a tackle that was called for a penalty. 2-1 Chelsea, Jessie knew this was crucial. Jessie tackled the player outside the box, but the ref already called it a penalty and since there wasn't any VAR, the outcome stood. Jessie tried to plead with the ref that she didn't touch her in the box and in fact the player dove into the box. Olga Carmona took the PK kick against Berger making it 2-2. At the very last minute, Niamh scored a brilliant goal, but it was called offside. Chelsea would take their first draw in the group stage for UWCL. Jessie felt horrible after the game. She thought to herself if I just hadn't tackled her there could've been a chance to win the game and we wouldn't be in the position of relying on the last minute goal Niamh had. Niamh had family in the stands to console her, but Jessie had no one. Fran Kirby and Ashley Lawrence tried to talk to Jessie to make sure she was okay and that this wasn't her fault. Jessie just wanted to be left alone. On the bus ride back you knew Jessie wasn't in the right place when she sat alone instead of with Niamh. Niamh was also hurting from this loss, but she hurt more knowing that Jessie was blaming herself. The car ride home was silent for Niamh and Jessie. When Jessie and Niamh got ready for bed, Jessie went to her side of the bed and rolled away from Niamh. Niamh decided she would hold Jessie while she cried herself to sleep.

Jessie needed a game that would boost her confidence. That game was against Everton. Jessie finally scored a goal and of course it was a volley. The first person she celebrated with was Niamh. Niamh was ecstatic for Jessie. Niamh knew how good of a footballer Jessie is, it's just sometimes in this Chelsea environment it doesn't show. 

Jessie and Niamh would be spending Christmas in Canada. Niamh finally gets to see Jessie's hometown. Jessie showed Niamh her favorite bookstore and breakfast place. Jessie and Niamh wanted to keep their relationship private, but found it difficult when fans wanted to take a picture with Jessie who is highly expected to be Canada's new captain. Some people that followed Jessie knew who Niamh was so they also wanted a picture with her or of the both of them. Fans on twitter went nuts knowing that Jessie and Niamh were together for Christmas. Niamh and Elyse got a long so well that Jessie found it very annoying when both of them teamed up on her. Jessie's childhood friend, Charlotte,  noticed a different side of Jessie since she began dating Niamh. Jessie became more vocal about what she wants and a little more outgoing. While they were hanging out in Jessie's house, Charlotte and Niamh had a heart to heart talk. Jessie was with her mom helping make dinner. Charlotte said, "I'm so happy you two finally worked it out. You know how long I had to listen to Jessie about you." Niamh laughed "Yeah, Magda and Pernille told us it was painful to watch us be in love and not do anything about it." Charlotte and Niamh continued to get to know each other. Jessie's family loved having Niamh for Christmas. She fit in so well with them. When Jessie and Niamh had to go back to London, Jessie's mom hugged Niamh and said, "Take good care of her." "I will" smiled Niamh.

Chelsea went to Morocco before the second half of the season started. This was a great bonding experience. Jessie had to fight the wind when doing yoga on the beach. What Jessie didn't expect was a call from her manager stating that the Portland Thorns wants her for the 2024 season. Jessie called Janine right away. "Hey, I don't know what to do but Portland wants me to transfer this season" said Jessie. Janine had a similar experience being in the WSL with Manchester City for 4 years and then leaving to go play in the NWSL. Janine didn't have a starting role for Man City, but when she came to Portland her role was massive. "Well it would be cool for you and I to be club teammates. I know you like it over there because of Niamh, but you have been saying you want a more consistent role and Portland can give you that" said Janine. Janine and Jessie continued the pro's and con's list, but it seemed to Jessie that the pro's list is winning. Jessie would get to play with Janine and Sinc. Jessie would be closer to home and she can get the minutes she wants before this upcoming Olympics. Jessie already made up her mind and that she would be requesting to transfer. Talking to the Chelsea staff was nerve racking, but Emma Hayes understood and thought this was best for Jessie. The conversation with Niamh was not going to be fun.

When they got back from Morocco Jessie and Niamh dynamic was a bit different. Niamh noticed that Jessie was anxious any time Niamh would get close to her. Jessie hadn't told Niamh about the news because she knew that this could still fall through, but she hated keeping a secret from Niamh. Jessie knew that this meant a long distant relationship or a break up and Jessie definitely did not want to break up. Jessie loves Niamh and has even thought this is it, she was going to marry Niamh one day. Niamh was tired of Jessie acting weird and straight up asked "What is it?" Jessie knew she couldn't just give a vague answer so she laid it all out there. "My manager told me on the Morocco trip that the Portland Thorns want me to play for them this season. I would be going in the transfer window for $250,000 and you guys will be getting Mayra Ramirez. I think this opportunity is best for me and the deal is almost done. I just have to sign a contract. I'll be leaving January 24th." Niamh couldn't believe this, she was shocked and heartbroken. Niamh just signed a new contract for 2027 with Chelsea. Jessie and Niamh planned to live together after all these years of living alone and now that's out the door. "Please say something" said Jessie. Niamh did the only thing she knew how to do to get Jessie to calm down. Niamh kissed Jessie on the forehead and brought her into a long hug. Niamh knew this was best for Jessie even though she selfishly wanted her to stay, but Jessie wasn't getting the minutes she needed for her to shine. "I understand. I will support you every step of the way. We will work this out. I'll come see you at the Olympics and we can plan to see each other when our schedules line up together" said Niamh. Now that Jessie finally got this off her chest, the next few weeks was just focusing on being together.

Niamh helped Jessie pack up all her things. Jessie took a picture of the two of them with her. Jessie said goodbye to all her teammates on a Monday morning. There were lots of tears because of the close bonds Jessie has made. Niamh kept some of Jessie's clothes for her when she comes back to visit, but mostly it's just reminders for her. Niamh drove Jessie to the airport and walked her up to her gate. Jessie and Niamh both started to cry. Niamh knew Jessie didn't like to be to emotional so she gave Jessie a quick kiss and a hug "I love you! Go kill it in Portland" said Niamh. Jessie said, "I love you too!" and walked away.

When the news finally broke that Jessie was transferring to the Portland Thorns fans were devastated. Fans didn't want to see these two be split apart. Jessie kept one thing hidden from Niamh and that was Jessie would now being wearing the number 21 for the Thorns. Jessie did have this number for college, but she will always be associated with the number 17. Jessie could've picked any other number but she wanted 21 because of Niamh. Niamh was surprised when she saw on insta that Jessie was wearing 21. Niamh had to comment and say "Looks good on you." Fans went crazy and went even crazier when Jessie said "Keeping a little bit of Niamh and Pernille with me across the pond." In that same week it was announced officially that Jessie is captain for Canada. This is only the beginning for Jessie's journey.