It's Me

Chapter 11

Tobin's POV

(Another time skip - April 2012)

Alex and I have been called up to the senior team before, so when Alex's phone lit up with a call from Pia Sundhage, we assumed it was for camp.

"Toby!" Alex exclmained, "Pia's calling! We're going to camp?"

"Babe, this isn't our first time." I chuckled as she was frantically fixing her hair, as if we were going to see Pia. "We've done this before, you don't have to get all antsy."

She rolled her eyes. "I know Toby, but I'm still really excited. We're still good enough. Pia thinks we're good enough to represent our country. I don't wanna disappoint the nation, especially when..." She trailed off, confusing me.

"Especially when...?" I tried to get her to finish, but she answered the phone we forgot was still ringing and gave me a huge smile with wide eyes in return.

"Good morning, Pia! How have you been?" Alex asked.

"I've been doing just fine, thank you. How are you and Tobin? Is she there with you right now?" said Pia.

I answered this time. "Yes, ma'am. We're great, thanks."

"That's good, girls." She replied. "I'm assuming you know why I've called?"

"We hope so" laughed Alex.

Pia chuckled with. "You've hoped right. I would like to inform you girls that we have invited you to the next camp. You still amaze the staff and I, as well as the nation. Which, is why, on behalf of US Soccer, I'm honored to name you two to the 2012 Olympic roster."

So that's why Alex was so happy. Huh.

We both looked at each other with amaze. How could we forget? ITS THE YEAR OF THE OLYMPICS! We were just talking about this like, 2 days ago, and we forgot about it! smh

We realized that we both were about to yell, and that we haven't answered Pia yet, so I had to control all the emotions within me and respond. "We'd be honored to represent the United States at the Olympics. Thank you so much for this opportunity. We will not disappoint you, we promise.

"I know, girls. I have faith you will live up to the expectations we have set for you. See you girls in a week!"

"Bye!" shouted Alex.

"See ya then!" I replied.

As soon as Alex hung up, she jumped on me, and (fortunately) I had enough time to catch her and spin her around.

"TOBY WE DID IT WE'RE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS I'M SO PROUD OF US I CAN'T BELIEVE IT I HAVE TO CALL MY PARENTS TOBIN I COULD KISS YOU RIGHT N-"

I didn't let her finish because I was already kissing her. Even though we've been dating for 4 years, she still made me feel like a kid. I always got butterflies when I saw her, and when I heard her voice or her laugh it put me on Cloud 9. And I'm all for it.

Just then, her phone started ringing again. We both looked at it confusingly, because it was Pia again.

I picked up this time. "Uh, Pia? You do know you just called us, right?"

Pia laughed. "Yes, but I forgot to tell you something. I'm bringing in a new player. I want you guys to make her feel welcomed, like she's a part of the team. I'll be bringing her to the Olympics as an alternate, but from what the staff and I have seen, she'll be a tremendous player in no time. I'm hoping you girls can help her settle in. She's a bit of an introverted player, so don't be surprised if she needs a little getting used to, but I'm holding you two responsible for how well she does here. Do you think you girls can amount to the task?"

Alex and I exchanged a look. We had talked about our future together about 8 months ago, and we've been dropping little suggestions here and there since, like our views on kids.

(Flashback)

"Lexxxxxxxxxx" I yelled.

"Tobsssssssss" she yelled back.

"I love youuuu"

She chuckled. "I love you toooo"

I don't know what I was thinking, probably because I had about 4 hours of sleep in the last 2 days, but at this point I just said whatever was on my mind. "I love you so much. Like, when we're old, I want to be in a rocking chair, like a dark oak one, and you're next to me, in your matching one, and we're just holding hands, and smiling at each other, and at the sunset in front of us, and with our 2 dogs in between us, sleeping, and with our kids, who are all grown up, talking in our house, about how cute we are, about how we met, about how in love we were and still are, and how they're so happy to call us parents. I want that with you."

She smiled at me, and looked very content. "I'd love that, Toby. But I have a question."

"Shoot."

"You want kids?"

I thought about this, or at least as best I could. "Yeah, I think I do. I mean, not right now. I'm not ready for them now. But, I'd love to have a kid and to call them mine, and to love them unconditionally, with all my heart, and cherish them as long as I breathe. And I want them with you. I think you'd be a great mother. You're taking care of me, even though I'm dangerously sick and you can very easily get sick too. But I think that this gives me definite proof that you'd be an amazing mom." I was falling asleep, and Alex knew it, so she didn't say much after, but I could tell she was smiling.

"I think, if I was gonna have a kid, which I do, I would love to have a kid with you."

Now I was smiling. "I love youuuu."

"I love you toooo."

(End of flashback)

This is like taking care of a kid, except the kid is much older, and isn't a kid, and has been brought up with different views than the ones Alex and I share.

This can't be too bad, right?

It seems as if Alex was thinking the exact same thing, because the next thing she asked Pia was, "So, basically, we're kinda caring for an overgrown child?"

Pia thought about this. "Well, I wouldn't say 'caring for an overgrown child,' rather, keeping a watchful eye on an adult for a few months."

We exchanged a shrug, thinking that this can't be too bad.

I spoke up. "We volunteer as tributes."

Alex rolled her eyes and mumbled "dork" under her breath, but I could see her hiding a smile.

"Wonderful," said Pia. "I guess you should get some background. She's 24, and from California. She played in the WPS League, and when it folded, she went to play in Sweden. While we kept an eye on her here in America, her debut across seas really made her shine. She's a striker, much like you Alex, and she has a very good finish. While she may not be at your level now, she will certainly be playing aside you once she comes into camp, with your guidance. As stated earlier, she's very shy, and will probably keep to herself, as this is a new environment. Again, don't let this dissuade you. Make her feel very welcomed, and I believe she will make friends in no time. Fortunately, she will have one friend already. Kelley O'Hara attended Stanford with her, and they played very well together. We're hoping Kelley can assist you two in helping her settle in. Don't worry if she seems attached to Kelley. We've spoken to Ms. O'Hara already, and she understands what she must do in order to aid you both. Are there any questions?"

"Yeah," said Alex. "Just one. What's this girl's name?"

"Oh, silly me. I forgot to tell you. Her name is Christen Press."

~*~sooooooooo I have no excuse. like none. I just haven't gotten around to writing. however, I have a lot of inspiration, so I'm going to write a couple chapters right now and push them out consecutively. sorry for all the time skips, but I'm just trying to move the story along, because we have yet to get to the good parts. thanks for toughing it out, I hope I don't disappoint :)~*~