Matilda's Imagines

Adoption

The days leading up to Y/n's 16th birthday felt like a quiet, almost unnoticed countdown. She had never been one for celebrations-birthdays felt like a reminder of everything she didn't have, everything she had lost. So, she kept it to herself. She didn't want anyone to make a fuss, to see the emptiness she sometimes felt around milestones. Instead, she buried herself in soccer, determined to focus on the present, on the team that had become her family.

But the team wasn't about to let her forget-no, not for a second.

The night before her birthday, Y/n was in her room, fiddling with her boots and trying to ignore the fact that tomorrow, she would be a year older. It had been a long day of practice, and she was looking forward to some peace and quiet. The door to her room opened without a knock, and Kyra's voice broke through the silence.

"Hey, Y/n! Mini's got a plan for tomorrow night. We're all going to chill at the house. Movies, takeout, no stress. You in?"

Y/n looked up, confused. "Wait, what? Chill? It's just... tomorrow."

Kyra grinned, crossing the threshold into her room. "Yeah, just tomorrow. But don't think we've forgotten. We're celebrating, even if you don't want to."

Y/n felt her heart skip, but she quickly masked it. She didn't want anyone to know how much the idea of a birthday celebration-especially one with this much love-mattered to her.

"I don't need a big thing, Kyra," she muttered, her gaze dropping to her shoes again. "Just... a quiet day. You know?"

Kyra stepped closer, leaning against the doorframe. "I know, kiddo. But we're doing this, okay? You deserve it. Plus, we've got movies and food you can't say no to. Trust me."

Y/n wanted to protest, but the soft look in Kyra's eyes stopped her. "Alright. Fine," she mumbled. "But I'm not doing some big party."

Kyra held up her hands in mock surrender. "No big party, promise."

As the day went on, Y/n couldn't shake the warmth of knowing that her teammates-her family-had remembered. They all knew, of course. Mini must've let it slip somehow. But for the first time, Y/n realized something: they cared. And that meant more than any perfect, solo birthday.

When the evening came, the house was buzzing with excitement. Y/n stepped into the living room, greeted by a cozy setup-pillows scattered on the floor, blankets everywhere, and the smell of Chinese takeout filling the air. Kyra was already cracking jokes, and Charlie and Caitlin were fighting over which movie to put on.

Mini smiled warmly when Y/n walked in, her arms full of snacks. "You ready, birthday girl?"

Y/n blinked in surprise. "You didn't have to do all this."

"Oh, we absolutely did," Mini said, voice filled with affection. "This is your night, kiddo. And we're gonna enjoy it with you."

It felt almost surreal-having people who actually cared, who wanted to celebrate her, who weren't just showing up out of duty, but out of love. Y/n settled onto the floor with the others, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like she could relax, like the weight of everything could just fall away.

The evening passed in a blur of laughter and inside jokes, the warmth of the team filling the room like the glow from a fire. Y/n wasn't used to feeling this at home. Her hand was often clasped in Kyra's during the movie, or Steph would squeeze her shoulder when something funny happened. It wasn't the loud, chaotic celebrations of birthdays from her past, but it was exactly what she needed.

As the night wore on, and the others were settling in for the final movie, Mini called Y/n over to her. Y/n looked up, startled. Mini had a small, neatly wrapped box in her hands. Her eyes softened as she motioned for Y/n to sit beside her on the couch.

"Hey, there's one more thing for you, Y/n," Mini said, her voice tender. "I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you. And I think tonight is perfect."

Y/n's heart thudded in her chest, and she looked at Mini, confused. "What... is it?"

Mini smiled, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Open it."

Y/n hesitated for a moment before carefully unwrapping the box. Inside, nestled among soft tissue paper, was an official-looking document. She pulled it out, her eyes widening as she read the words-Adoption Papers.

She blinked, her heart pounding, her mind trying to piece together what she was seeing.

"What... what is this?" Y/n asked, her voice trembling.

Mini gently took the papers from her hands and placed them back in Y/n's lap, her eyes full of love. "Y/n, I want you to know that you're not just a part of this team. You're part of our family. And I've been working with the team, with the people who've been helping you through this, to make this official. I want to adopt you."

Y/n's breath caught in her throat, her entire body frozen. She looked up at Mini, searching her face to see if this was real. She saw no doubt there, only a deep, unshakable love.

"Y/n... I've wanted this for so long. You're my kid, and I want you to know that. I want to give you a home, a place where you're safe, where you're loved. I know it's a lot, but I'm here, and I always will be. If you want this too..."

Y/n could barely speak. Her throat was tight, and the overwhelming surge of emotion made her hands shake. She looked around the room at the team, each of them watching her with wide, caring eyes, and in that moment, she realized something deep and undeniable.

This was home. She wasn't alone.

Mini's hand gently cupped her cheek, pulling her attention back. "What do you think, Y/n? You don't have to say yes right away. Just know that this is here for you, whenever you're ready."

Y/n's voice cracked as she whispered, "I... I want this. I want to stay with you."

Mini's smile was everything Y/n had ever needed, full of warmth, security, and love. Without another word, she pulled Y/n into a hug, holding her tight as the room around them felt like it faded into the background.

For the first time in her life, Y/n felt what it was like to truly belong.