Great Expectations

Contract

For the first 8 years of Xana's life, it was just a family of 3. Every decision made in her fathers career, her opinion was considered. When Nike and Adidas sent over deals, she told her dad to go with Adidas. Of course in the end her dad chose Nike, until he would later depart from the brand. Reminding Xana that she was right all along, it made her feel special. Leo never failing to remind her that she was indeed the reason for his success.

Now her father once again, would be bringing up a predicament that needed a solution. He sent the boys up their rooms after they all finished, knowing that now is the time to bring up what he had gone through at his meeting with the Club. Once they were sure the boys went into their rooms, most likely would eventually head down the stairs to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"I thought I would never have to say this.." he clears his throat. The kind of sound Xana knows her dad would do when he was trying to hold his emotions in. "..My 2021 season with Barca is my last"

The pit fell, and it was leaving a disgusting taste in Xana's mouth. Not only would that mean they would move, but he would have to play for a team that wasn't Barcelona?

Xana swallows the lump in her throat, pressing her lips together as she try's to find strength to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.  Her father sensing her discomfort, he reaches for her hand at the dinner table. Squeezing it lightly to offer comfort to her growing emotions.

While his daughter was facing down the empty plate on the table, he shared a look with his wife. It was a silent communication that spoke volumes in which they only understood. A silent agreement that he would never take her chance to play with Barca.

"Xana your mother and I have collectively agreed that you will play out the rest of your contract deal with the first team" he spoke softy, with a confidence that Xana deeply admired about him. She locked eyes with him, all so very similar. People always said they had the same eyes, she was just blessed with her mother's looks.

"But what about you?"

"My time with Barca is over Mija, it's time to live out your dream" he has to clear his throat just after. It was like time went by so fast, and he was just a young teenager like the one staring into his eyes. When he first put on the blaugrana jersey. 16. 16, is the age he found out he was having a child. Now she would be playing for Barcelona.

"Without you?"

"It's going to be okay, we knew this would happen eventually. You were meant to play for Barca, and now you will." He wrapped his hands on her cheek, his thumbs wiping the tears off her face. She dreamt of playing for Barca with her dad, obviously she learned the hard truth at 7 that she couldn't because she was a girl but her dad told her that that there was a Women's team. She would only represent the Catalonian club for only 1 season with her father.

"1 season with you is better than nothing" she responded.

He didn't have to say anything else, kissing her forehead before he got up to grab the folder he had originally set on the kitchen counter before they started dinner.

It was the contract that was given to him about Xana. She was offered a 3 year contract with open negotiations for renewal, the salary of $200,000 a year. They sat down and reviewed everything together, front and back, every word. Her mother made sure of that of course, having helped Leo and his father with contacts and deals. It was a model of the copy she would sign in a few days that would decide her future. In a year she would be housed with the Barca Femeni team captain until she was of age.

"Congratulations honey, I'm so proud of you" he pulled her into a hug, soon joined in by Antonella. The boys who were trying to be discreet as much as possible, trying to get the 2 year old to stop squirming.