Love Runs Deeper Than Blood

MEETING THE TEAM

The alarm went off at 7 because they had training at 8:30.
"Ali. Time to get up"
"5 more minutes? please?" Ali begged
"Fine, but by the time I get done in the bathroom, you need to get up."
"Mm. Kay"
Ash got done in the bathroom, finally got Ali up, and Ali went to wake up Sammie.
"Sammie?" Ali said "Time to get up. We're gonna go meet the team today!"
"Ok, I'm up. What do I need to wear?"
"It's gonna be warm, so shorts and a T-shirt. Bring your cleats and gloves though."
"Ok" Sammie went to get dressed, and Ali left to do so as well. They all met in the kitchen where they had some cereal before they had to leave.
"Hey Sam." Ash greeted. "How are you this morning?"
"Nervous"
"For what, sweetheart?" Ali asked
"What if the team doesn't like me?"
"Well now, that's just crazy. First of all, of course they're gonna like you, and second of all, you have nothing to worry about, because I know they won't be mean."
"How do you know. You guys have been playing with them, and I just come in all of a sudden?"
"Well, I know they won't say anything for the simple fact they are scared of me," Ash said, getting a chuckle out of Sammie. "Also, even though we have only been your parents for two days, we love you very much, and we promise to protect you and give you anything we can. Even if that means roughing up some of my teammates, because now more than ever, family is first. Ok?"
"Ok"
"You ready, Sammie?" Ali asked
"Yeah"
They loaded into the car and headed out. When they got to training, they were greeted by Coach.
"Hey ladies!" He greeted.
"Hey coach. This is our daughter, Sammie"
"Hi Sammie! I coach your mothers on the Spirit. Your mom says that you're a really good keeper, huh?"
"Uhh. I guess so."
"Oh, c'mon Sam! You're awesome!" Ash stepped in.
"Well, I can't wait to see." Coach says. "Now ladies go get changed."
"Ok, see you in a few."

They walked into the locker room, Ash giving Sammie a piggy back.
"Hey ladies!"
"Hey guys!"
"This is our daughter, Sammie. Say hi Sam-I-Am."
"Hi! I'm Sammie."
"Hey Sammie. How are you?" Lori greeted.
"Good"
"Hey Sammie. It's so nice to meet you," Crystal said.
"Thanks!"
"Well it's time to go out to training ladies. Let's go." Ali said. "Sam, just bring your stuff, you can put it out up there."
"Ok mommy. Hey mom? Can I watch your goalie training?"
"Of course. Maybe I'll let you step in" Ash whispered with a wink.
"Cool. Do you think I can join a team? I've never been on a team before."
"Well talk to your mommy when we get home, ok?"
"Ok"

Goalie training. Sammie is sitting next to the net watching and learning.
"Ok, today we are working on reading PKs." Coach started. He lined up the PK giving them all sorts of different signs to where he is going to go, and Sam is just absorbing it all, watching his signs, and trying to guess where he is going. After about a half hour, it was time for a water break. Ash took a quick sip, then told her daughter to hop in the net. Ash lined up a PK and got ready to take it, but giving her direction away by coming in at the angle.
"Hope you were paying attention." She said as she took the shot. Sammie guessed right, and knocked it wide. Ash took a few more, only scoring 2 out of 5. Sammie saved the rest. Crystal saw the last save and called out
"Sick save Sammie. That was awesome!"
"Thanks!"
Turning to Ali Crystal said, "you'd think she was biologically Ash's. She's amazing. Of course you two would manage to adopt one of the best youth goalkeepers ever!"
"Honestly, we didn't even know she played soccer until the car ride home. She's never played on a team. She just never liked to lose, so when they would play pickup, she would just throw herself in front of the ball so she wouldn't lose. This is all raw talent. I can't even believe it!"
"That's amazing. I wish it came that easy to me!"
"That's what I'm worried about."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I just hope she comes to realize that she will still need to work hard to achieve what she wants. Talent will only get her so far."
"I think you have somebody on the national team to talk to her about that. You know who I'm talking about, right?"
"Carli?"
"That's the one. That's her number one thing. Work when nobody is watching."
"Yeah, I'll have her talk to her."
"Now, just watch your daughter. She is doing amazing. I don't even understand." By now the whole team and coaching staff was watching the young keeper, robbing her mom of some pretty sick goals. Just then, Ash hit one upper 90, and despite the young girls effort, it sailed in. Sammie was clearly devastated. She wasn't kidding when she said she didn't like to lose. She definitely was just like Hope. Every goal was the end of the world.
"Hey Sam. It's ok! Nobody could've saved that. I couldn't save that, Hope probably couldn't save that even. Most goalies wouldn't even make an attempt like that. You're still the best 9 year old goalie I've ever seen. " ash said, hugging her. "C'mon. It's time to go home. Let's go see your mommy."
"Ok. Can I have a piggyback, Mom?"
"Sure." And they walked back to the rest of the team. Sammie was greeted with high fives and congratulations. Everyone thought she played amazing. Ash said
"It looks like we have a little Hope on our hands, though." Everybody knew what that meant.
"Uh-oh" Ali joked. "Don't get down on yourself, Kiddo. It's no big deal is you let one in."
"Yeah I guess not."
"Ok. Ladies! Great job today! Back at it tomorrow. You are dismissed. Let's break it down. Hands in! Spirit on 3! 1...2...3..."
"Spirit!"
"Hey Ali!" The goalie coach called
"What's up coach?"
"I just wanted to let you know that my daughter's club team is looking for a goalie. It's a U-12 team, but i think that Sammie would be a great fit if you're interested."
"That's great. Thanks coach! Can you just text me the information?"
"Sure thing. See you tomorrow Ali!"
"See you then. Thanks again!"
Ali met up with Ash and Sammie in the locker room, Ash was in the shower, and Sammie was talking to Crystal and Lori. When Ash got out, Ali went in and took a quick shower and Sammie would shower at home. Once Ali got out, they left, this time Ali carrying Sammie. She placed Sammie in the back seat, then hops in the front. Ash turned the key, and they were off.
"Hey Sammie?" Ali asked
"Yeah?"
"Are you happy?"
"Yeah. This is the best thing that coulee happened. Not only did I get adopted, but I got adopted by two of my favorite soccer players. I am so happy. Thank you for adopting me. I love you mom and mommy."
"We love you too. It's funny really. I didn't even fall in love with your mom in two days, but it just seems like you were always there. Like you belong with us. There is no doubt that you are our daughter. That we were supposed to have you. We really love you Sammie. We hope you really do feel the same, and that you can trust us too. We are always here for you. You can tell us everything. We're your parents."
"I do trust you. I promise." Ali's phone buzzed with a text from coach.
"Oh yeah" she started. "Ash coach told me about how the club his daughter plays for is looking for a keeper. He thinks Sam would fit in well and suggested we check it out. He just texted me the details."
"Ok. We'll look into it when we get home. We also need to call our families. Fly them in this weekend."
"We'll call them when we get home."
A few minutes later they were pulling into the driveway. "Go on in and hop in the shower, Sam."
"Okay"
They walked in, and Sam headed upstairs. Ali and Ash flopped on the couch.
"That was a tough one," Ali signed.
"Agreed. Let's split and call our parents. Don't tell them anything. This is gonna be a surprise."
"I won't. I promise."
Ali dialed her mom
(Italics- conversation)
Hey Ali!
Hi mom!
What's up?
Well, I just wanted to let you know that Ash and I were flying, you, dad, and Kyle in this weekend. Along with Ash's parents and Chris. We want you guys to see our game. And we have a surprise too.
What is it?
Well that wouldn't make for a surprise would it? And before you ask, no we're not pregnant.
Ok. See you then. Love you, Alex!
"Love you too Mom!"
Ali hangs up, and calls Kyle.
Hey BB!
Hey KK!
What's up?
This weekend, Ash and I are flying you, Chris, and the parental's in. We want you to see our game. We also have a surprise. We'll fly you in Friday night. Oh could you tell mom that. I may have left that out.
That's like the most important detail. About the surprise,
Ali cut him off,
No I'm not pregnant.
Ok, ok. Fine. By BB. Love you!
Love you too. See you Friday!
Ok Ash. My fam knows. You can call yours. Ash dialed her mom.
Hey Ash! How are you?
Pretty good! You?
I'm fine, and how's Ali?
She's fine. So I'm calling to let you know that were flying you, dad and Chris in this weekend along with the Krieger's. We want you to see our game. We also have a surprise, and before you ask, no we're not pregnant.
Ok. Now I'm anxious. When's the flight?
Friday night. You'll be in by 6. It's a 3:00 flight.
Ok, see you then! Love you!
Bye mom. Love you too!
Ash hung up then called her brother, Chris. By now, Sammie had come down and Ali left the room to explain to her what's happening. Chris picked up
Hey dork. What's happening?
Hey yourself. This weekend your coming to DC with mom dad and the Krieger's to watch the game. Plus we have a surprise. No we're not pregnant. Flight is at 3. 3 hour flight. Any questions?
No ma'am. Can't wait to see you!
You too. See you soon!
Ash met with Sam and Ali in the kitchen.
"Sam, did mommy fill you in?"
"Yeah. I can't wait to meet them! Do you think they'll like me?"
"Of course they'll like you. No they'll love you! And I know that Ali's mom will spoil you. I mean look at her" she said pointing to Ali, earning her a chuckle and a playful smack on the arm. When Ali turned, Ash caught her by the waist and pulled her into a kiss.
"Love you. You spoiled princess."
"Love you too." Ali then pulled Sam into the hug, and after kissing her on the head said,
"We are a family now. I like that. We are the Krieger-Harris family, and I love you both. I got lucky enough to have the two greatest girls in the world in my life, and I couldn't be happier. They all went to bed, Ash carrying a half asleep, Sam, placing her gently in bed, kissing her forehead and said
"Good night Champ. I love you"
"I love you too mom. I like champ. Can champ be my nickname? Like you call mommy princess?"
"I think that fits. Love you champ."
Ali poke her head in and said
"Goodnight baby girl. I love you."
"Love you too, mommy"
And with that the small, happy family went to bed.
The next day they had a recovery day, so Sam did some of it with them since she was kinda sore, and before they knew it they were waking up Friday morning. They had the day off, but were expected to do something. So they took Sammie to the park. They then had to go pick up the families from the airport, but to keep the surprise, only ash went, and Ali stayed home with Sammie.

AN: next chapter she meets the family then the national team
Thanks for reading! Also any prompts you want to see in this story let me know, and I'll try an fit them in.