3:30 A.M.

Chapter 1

Alyssa's phone vibrated against her oak side table. The goalkeeper was drudged from her sleep by the loud noise. She quickly grabbed the phone off the table to keep the noise from waking Becky. Only one person would be texting (and not calling) her this late. She dimmed her phone to the lowest setting and threw it on silent before opening the waiting text message.

Dandy Andi: Dad! Wake up and answer the phone!

Ninja Dad: I am up Andi. What could you possibly need at 3:30 in the morning?

Dandy Andi: I can't sleep...

Alyssa groaned. She loved that Andi reached out to her in times like this but gosh she liked her sleep as well. Especially on a rare night when she had Becky to keep her warm.

Ninja Dad: Alright. Why.

Dandy Andi: My mind is swirling like an ocean current full of thoughts. It won't shut off.

The college junior was curled up in her dorm room at Stanford under the covers so she didn't wake her roommate. A stuffed tiger pulled close to her chest as she watched the three dots blink over and over while Alyssa typed out a response. She really didn't want to bother her soccer parents, but she was getting tired of not being able to sleep and wagered they would know how to deal with the problem. Alyssa would be much nicer than Becky if woken up, so she texted her team dad first.

Ninja Dad: Not surprising given your age. How do you normally fall asleep on nights like this?

Dandy Andi: Well.... normally I cuddle with Sir Fluffy and binge watch Netflix until I fall asleep or until the morning comes. But that isn't working.

Alyssa snorted at the name of what she assumed was a stuffed animal. Becky mumbled and turned over in her sleep. The goalkeeper glanced over and saw she was still asleep, grateful that she didn't wake her. The blonde beauty needed to get all 8 hours of sleep or she was cranky in the morning.

Ninja Dad: Who is Sir Fluffy?

Dandy Andi: The stuffed tiger you and mom got me at the end of last national team camp.

Ninja Dad: I should have known.

Dandy Andi: What?!

Andi huffed in protest at her dad's words. Sir Fluffy was very special to her and she would forever treasure the gift from her parents. He now went everywhere with her.

Ninja Dad: Nothing kiddo. Usually on nights like these all of those thoughts swirling through your head are connected to one main concept. I need you to think and figure out how they are all connected.

She watched the three little dots blink across her screen for a few minutes before her eyes slide shut. The goalkeeper successfully dozed back off and was only awoken when Becky let out a loud snore. Her eyes were forced open to see she finally had a response from her kid.

Dandy Andi: Well.... they all seem to be about...a certain person.

Ninja Dad: A certain person? Andi, do you have a crush?

Dandy Andi: Maybe! I mean if you call getting butterflies and deliriously happy and yet so nervous I am fighting back nausea when around them at the same time. If those are true than yes you can technically say I have a crush. Please don't tell mom!

Andi watched the screen as her stomach turned into knots. She couldn't believe that spilled out of her – she must be more tired than she thought. Silently she begged Alyssa to agree not to tell Becky. Andi wasn't ready for that.

Ninja Dad: Why don't you want me telling Becky?

Dandy Andi: Because she is going to ask me twenty million questions about feelings and stuff and I really don't want to talk about those yet. Besides she is way out of my league and it is a fantasy at best. I just need it to stop. Help.

The confession from her child had Alyssa melting. Their little baby girl was all grown up and crushing hard on some lucky girl. Alyssa would honor her promise and not tell Becky. Though when the blonde eventually found out she would let her girlfriend have it. This Alyssa knew for certain but she refused to betray Andi's trust.

Ninja Dad: Okay kiddo. I won't tell your mom but you get to explain why when she eventually finds out. First, no woman is out of your league. You are a wonderful person and I know your mother and I have raised you right this past year. Any woman or man would be lucky to date you. Don't let society tell you different. Second, if this person can't get out of your head than they are important to you. Trying to ignore those thoughts won't work. Do you want to know a trick I used to do?

Andi had a multitude of reactions as she ready Alyssa's text. A wave and sigh of relief ran through her when she saw Alyssa's promise to keep the secret; it was followed by a shudder of having to one day defend her actions to a more than likely angry defender. Lastly was an eye roll and barely concealed snort. Of course her dad would say that she was lucky to have a crush on someone. That is what all parents say.

Dandy Andi: Of course, you are going to say that! You are my parents I expect you to always have my back!

Dandy Andi: Yes! Anything to try to make it stop!

'Oh youth. So innocent and naïve.' Alyssa thought. She admired Andi's indignation, recognizing it as very similar to her own when she was that age.

Ninja Dad: When I first realized I had feelings for your mom, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was always on my mind, invading every thought. I had many a night very much like the one you are having right now. I spent a lot of energy fighting it and felt more drained than before. One night I said ok, fighting isn't working. Let's try the opposite. So, when I had curled up in bed I started to purposely think about Becky. The way her eyes lit up when she made a good play. Her laugh when she heard my muttered comment about a play the forwards had made. The way the sun caught the blonde of her hair just right and made it shine so bright. I thought of all the things I loved and still love about her. And they brought me calm. With the calm came peace of mind and I could sleep.

Alyssa poured out a little of her heart to Andi in hopes it would help her sleep. Truth be told it was still a technique the goalkeeper used when she couldn't sleep. Some nights she was lucky and had the real thing to cuddle up to when they were in the same city, the steady heart beat lulling her to slumber. When they were apart she was forced to hold the pillow that the blonde always used and let her mind carry her away to happier times.

Andy meanwhile was staring in shock at the confession of her dad. She hadn't thought the goalkeeper was that deep – a mistake on her part. Underneath the ninja cold exterior was a warm sappy heart.

Dandy Andi: No way! And it worked?

Ninja Dad: Yeah kiddo it works every time. Give it a try and if you still can't sleep, text me again and we can try to come up with something else.

Dandy Andi: Promise you will answer?

Ninja Dad: I promise. Unless Becky gets to my phone first.

Dandy Andi: Deal. Thanks for the help dad. Night!

Ninja Dad: Goodnight kiddo. Sweet dreams.

Alyssa turned her phone back on vibrate before replacing it on her side table. She rolled over to her other side and reached out an arm. Finding the warm body she was searching for, Alyssa scooted a few inches closer and wrapped around her still snoring girlfriend. She didn't need to fantasize when she had the real deal right here. She buried her nose into the soft blonde curls and felt the tension melt away. Little did she know her posture was mirrored in Stanford. Andi had curled with Sir Fluffy again and was starting to doze, her thoughts of blonde hair and a bright smile bringing warmth to her chest. Blissfully they both slid into a nourishing slumber.

A/N:  Who doesn't love some quality family bonding?  This is the first chapter of a 3-shot a wrote a while ago and am just now transferring onto here.  Let me know what you think!  I will have the other parts up soon.

-Red