Never Not You

England v Italy

A/N: this isn't a real fixture I'm just putting it in. For the story

Since it is Leah's birthday today I figure it's only appropriate I update one of her stories.

A few days later, the morning air around the station buzzed with the restless energy of people going somewhere important.

Tomorrow was England vs Italy in Manchester, and for the first time since Leah had left for camp, Aurora and Mateo were going to see her play.

Aurora had insisted they travel the day before. No early alarms. No rushed train platforms with a sleepy toddler. If Mateo was going to watch his mama play football, he was going to actually remember it.

So now the three of them—Aurora, Mateo, and Leah's mum Amanda—moved slowly through the busy station crowd.

Mateo's small hand was tucked securely in Aurora's.

He wore a little navy tracksuit set, zipped halfway up, with bright white Nike Dunks that squeaked faintly on the polished floor when he walked. His curls bounced with every determined step as he waddled beside her, eyes darting everywhere.

The station was huge in his world.

Big screens. Loud announcements. Suitcases rolling past like strange mechanical animals. People everywhere.

"Woooah," Mateo whispered.

Aurora glanced down at him, smiling softly beneath the hood of the oversized hoodie she wore. The hoodie was unmistakably Leah's—too big in the shoulders, sleeves falling halfway over her hands—but that was exactly why she liked it. Over it she wore a long jacket, zipped loosely, doing its best to hide the small but growing bump beneath.

Mateo tugged her hand again.

"Mami," he whispered urgently.

"Yes, cariño?"

"Dis place... BIG."

Aurora laughed quietly. "Sí. Very big."

Behind them Amanda followed with a small suitcase, watching her grandson with the fond patience only grandmothers seemed to possess.

Mateo suddenly stopped walking.

He pointed across the station where a train sat along the platform, long and humming quietly.

"Mami..."

Aurora followed his finger.

His jaw dropped.

"DAT A TWAIN?"

Aurora crouched beside him. "Yes, baby. That's a train."

Mateo gasped like she'd just confirmed the existence of dragons.

"I go on dat?!"

"You do."

His eyes lit up so bright it was almost blinding.

"I GO ON TWAIN!!!"

People passing nearby smiled at the pure joy vibrating out of the tiny boy.

They continued toward the ticket barriers, Mateo bouncing excitedly now, half-walking, half-hopping.

When they reached the gate, Aurora reached into her pocket for the tickets.

Then she paused.

Mateo was staring up at the barrier like it was some kind of sacred ritual.

Aurora smirked.

"You wanna do it?"

Mateo nodded immediately. "Yes yes yes!"