Lover II- ML

303. Falter

Match day couldn't come quick enough for Kaia.

She was so eager to start their Euros campaign, to defend their title and show they were still the best in Europe despite the world champions also being European.

Spain already had a healthy win under their belt, while Switzerland had got their home campaign off to a good start, but the idea of England v France brought a lot of buzz and anticipation.

Kaia had asked her parents to have Fabian for the day so she could fully concentrate on fuelling foods, activation training, her prematch interview and then walking the pitch at Leah's side.

Both of them had a hard job tonight in their respective positions, but Leah knew she needed to be a lot more focus and disciplined while Kaia just needed to be given freedom on the ball to show what she can do.

But then again, Kaia knew France's fullbacks liked to attack which meant she'd have to get back and help the team out of possession.

France would most likely try to dominate possession.

Once the warmups were done, Kaia took time in wrapping adhesive bandages at the bottom of her new shin pads to keep them snuggly in place.

They were a pair Mapi had surprised her with the day before they left Barcelona, from the same artist who created Mapi's custom shin pads with Kaia and Fabian and a few of her achievements.

These particular shin pads Kaia was getting ready had a recent picture of Fabian stood inside the Champions League trophy, a silhouette of Mapi jogging on the pitch from behind, an outline of Wembley and then an artistic interpretation of Kaia's Ballon d'Or looking like a shooting star going across the top of her left pad.

There was more detail in the colours, phrases and number that were lucky to her and kept her close to her family.

It also made Kaia smile looking down at the shin pads which was her current reality, because Mapi had given them to her whilst saying:

'These are only for the Euros. Because after that, you'll have another Ballon d'Or and we'll have two more children.'

Kaia wasn't sure about her getting another Ballon d'Or with Alexia's current form being so eye catching, but she knew two more children had to squeeze their way onto hers and Mapi's shin pads.

And hopefully a gold medal for one of them.

"Ready?" Leah asks, taking it upon herself to tie Kaia's boots while her own remain undone.

Kaia nods, watching Leah's tight knot in approval. "Fabian's eating chicken tenders, singing 'Wherever the River Bends' while waiting for kickoff." She mentions.

Leah laughs. "Your's and Seb's song from Rio 3?"

"Yeah." Kaia chuckles with a tender smile. "He's obsessed with that movie. It's killing Mapi and I off slowly."

"It's a cute obsession though, because he knows it's you." Leah reassures as she stands to take a seat herself.

Wordlessly, Kaia kneels down and begins tying Leah's laces. "Cute, but... on 24/7 in our house." She replies.

"Vamos, chicas." Emilia appears suddenly, rubbing her hands with a wide smile on her face. "Let's go, let's go, let's go."

"¿Quién te dio tanta azúcar? (Who gave you so much sugar?)" Kaia wonders with a slight smirk.

"Patri said they're doing a watch party as a team, and I'm starting today." Emilia states two facts both Leah and Kaia already knew. "I'm excited!"

"Of course they're watching." Leah agrees seriously. "Everyone's going to be watching. Our group is the most unpredictable, so we need to stay focused."