𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝘢.𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯

𝐱𝐱𝐢. 𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞

☾︎ ℕ𝔸𝕊ℍ𝕍𝕀𝕃𝕃𝔼 ☽︎

June 28, 2017

June 28 dawned warm and clear in Nashville, the city where Brooklyn grew up. She and Alex had decided to take a break after Alex suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined her for the season; she needed to rest. After spending a few weeks in California with Alex's family, the two had arrived in Nashville, where Brooklyn's parents and her little brother Walker were eagerly awaiting their visit.

For Brooklyn, being home meant something special. Despite the fame and life she had built in big cities, Nashville had always been her refuge. The scent of pine trees, warm evenings, and the constant sound of music in the air made her feel at peace.

When the rental car pulled up in front of the Williams house, a cozy Southern-style home with a large wraparound porch, Walker ran out the door, waving his arms and shouting excitedly.

"Brooke! Alex!" his childish voice echoed.

Brooklyn stepped out of the car with a beaming smile, while Alex, moving carefully due to her injury, followed at a more leisurely pace. Walker launched himself at his sister, enveloping her in a tight hug that nearly knocked her over.

"Look at you, Walker!" Brooklyn exclaimed, ruffling his blonde hair as he gazed at her adoringly. Ever since Brooklyn had moved away from Nashville to pursue her music career, opportunities to see her younger brother had been few and far between. Every time she saw him, he seemed to have grown taller.

"I've been waiting for you all day!" Walker said, eyes sparkling. "Can we play soccer later? I've been practicing!"

Alex, who was watching the scene with a smile, carefully bent down and patted the boy's shoulder. "Maybe I can give you some advice, Walker, but I'm not sure I can run today," she said, pointing with a smile to the bandage around her leg.

Walker grimaced. "Oh, yeah! Mom said you got hurt. Well, we can play when you feel better. I want to learn from a real pro!"

As the boy spoke excitedly, Brooklyn's parents stepped out onto the porch. Cate, with her natural warmth, extended her arms to welcome her daughter and Alex. The smile on her face showed how proud she was of Brooklyn, but also how genuine the relationship between the two was. She and Ethan had welcomed Alex from the first moment Brooklyn told them about their relationship. On their previous visits, there was always an atmosphere of acceptance, something that had given both women peace of mind.

After a warm welcome and some laughter on the porch, the family entered the house. The interior was cozy, with walls decorated with family photographs, trophies from Brooklyn and Tom's teenage years, and a few guitars propped in the corners. While Cate made some lemonade and homemade cookies, the couple relaxed in the living room.

"It's always so comforting to be here,' Alex commented, as she settled on the couch, carefully stretching her injured leg. For someone who had grown up in sunny California, the South had a distinct charm that was beginning to make her fall in love.

"Yeah, it's like everything stops for a moment," Brooklyn nodded, sitting next to her, gently stroking her arm. "Everything is simpler here, more authentic."

After spending weeks at Alex's mother's house in California, sharing laughs, stories, and long talks about football and music, being in Nashville closed a circle of intimacy for both of them. These visits allowed them to discover something deeper than the bright lights of the outside world: in their families, in their roots, and in the tranquility that their homes provided them.

The afternoon slipped by smoothly as Cate and Ethan talked with Alex about her recovery. Ethan, a longtime fan of the athlete, shared some advice on how to cope with injuries, joking with her about the life of athletes and the importance of rest. Alex, always grateful for the warmth with which Brooklyn's family had welcomed her, felt more and more a part of that environment.