Matilda's Imagines

Family

The team had always known Y/n to be a bit of a whirlwind. She was full of energy, constantly moving, and always seemed to have somewhere to be. But recently, they'd started to notice a pattern. As soon as training or matches ended, Y/n would bolt—no time to hang out, no time for team dinners.

It was Caitlin who first voiced her concern. "Anyone else notice how Y/n never sticks around after training?"

"She's been like that since she joined," Kyra chimed in, balancing a water bottle on her head. "It's weird. She's usually all about team bonding, but lately? She's always in a rush."

Mini frowned, her motherly instincts kicking in. "I've noticed too. She's been... distracted. And tired. I don't think she's sleeping much."

Alana added, "She's got dark circles under her eyes. It's not like her."

The concern bubbled over one evening after a game. As the team lingered in the locker room, celebrating their win, Y/n slipped out quietly, hoping no one would notice.

But Mini did.

"Y/n!" she called, stopping the teenager in her tracks.

Y/n froze, her shoulders tensing. "Uh... yeah, Mini?"

Mini walked over, her tone gentle but firm. "Why are you always in such a rush? You never stick around with the team anymore. What's going on?"

The rest of the team quieted, all eyes on Y/n. She looked down, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "It's nothing. I just... I have stuff to do."

Kyra snorted. "What kind of stuff? Homework? Secret missions?"

Y/n hesitated, her walls crumbling under the weight of their concern. Finally, she sighed. "It's my little sister, Mia. She's only one. She was placed with me when she was born, and... well, I've been looking after her. My foster parents work late, so if I'm not there, no one is."

The room fell silent.

"You've been doing this alone?" Mini asked, her voice filled with a mix of shock and heartbreak.

Y/n nodded. "Yeah. She's my responsibility. I can't let her down."

"But you're sixteen," Caitlin said gently. "You shouldn't have to handle all of that on your own."

Y/n's voice cracked as she replied, "I don't have a choice. She's all I've got."

Mini placed a comforting hand on Y/n's shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone, Y/n. We're your family now too."

The very next day, Mini asked Y/n if she could meet Mia. Reluctantly, Y/n agreed, and the team gathered at the foster home after training.

Mia was in her high chair, babbling happily and smacking a spoon against the tray when the team arrived. Her wide brown eyes lit up at the sight of her big sister, and she reached out with chubby arms.

"Mimi!" she squealed, her version of "Y/n."

Y/n smiled, picking her up and balancing her on her hip. "Hey, bug."

The team melted instantly. Caitlin and Alana cooed over her, Macca made silly faces, and Kyra started trying to teach her a high five.

But it was Mini who Mia gravitated toward the most. When Mini reached out to her, Mia leaned into her arms without hesitation, resting her tiny head on Mini's shoulder.

"She's perfect," Mini whispered, gently rocking Mia.

Y/n looked down, her eyes misty. "She really is."

A week later, Mini pulled Y/n aside after practice.

"Y/n," she began, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About Mia. You've done an incredible job looking after her, but it's too much for you to do alone. And legally, you can't be her guardian."

Y/n's heart sank. "I know. But I don't want to lose her, Mini. I can't."

"You won't," Mini said firmly. "Because I want to adopt both of you."

Y/n stared at her, eyes wide. "What?"

"I want to give you both a home. You shouldn't have to choose between being a kid and being a sister. You deserve to be both, and Mia deserves a family that loves her—and you—completely."

Tears welled up in Y/n's eyes. "You'd really do that? For us?"

Mini smiled, pulling her into a hug. "You're already part of this family, Y/n. Let's make it official."

In the weeks that followed, the paperwork was filed, and Mini's home quickly became a second training ground. Mia fit seamlessly into the team's dynamic, toddling around with a soccer ball in hand, her giggles filling the air.

She had her favorites—Kyra for playtime, Caitlin for cuddles, and Mini for everything else.

One evening, as the team sat around Mini's living room, Mia climbed onto Y/n's lap, clutching a stuffed kangaroo.

"You okay, bug?" Y/n asked, brushing Mia's curls out of her face.

Mia pointed at Mini, then back at Y/n. "Family?"

Y/n's throat tightened as she glanced at Mini, who smiled softly.

"Yeah, bug," Y/n whispered. "We've got a family now."

And for the first time in a long time, Y/n felt like everything was finally falling into place.