Borrowed • Jesse Lingard

one.

Walking through the airport I smile to myself knowing I'm back on English soil.

"How ready are you to see me and Chris reunited then mum?" I ask knowing that my mum has talked about nothing other than me being able to see my brother Chris again.

"Do you even need to ask Montana? I just want to be there now. I need to see my babies reunited" I smile handing my mum a glass of prosecco in the cab listening as she talks about my brothers life now he's a dad. "It's a shame this is your first time back in Manchester properly. You've never seen Leo other than on videos since he was born".

"I know mum and I do regret that a little but I've never been able to get the time to come back. Especially while I was working in Australia. It wasn't possible to get the time off that would make flying home worth it. It does worry me that Leo won't know who I am though".

"You know Chris and Sam wouldn't let that happen. At least you've FaceTimed them. Leo might be wary at first but he'll know your voice. Don't worry though we have weeks to make everything right". I sit and watch the world go by as we travel to Cheshire. Before I know it we're getting out of the car in my brothers driveway. Seeing my brother trying to be discreet standing at the front door I run into his arms wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I missed you so much Chris".

"I missed you too little one. Don't leave it so long next time even if you have been living the life in Australia" I feel my brother squeeze me a little bit tighter enjoying our reunion "mum don't cry. We'll be bickering again before you know it".

"I can't help it Christopher. I've waited too long to see my babies together again and you haven't called her little one in years".

"Some things never change mum anyway let's go inside. Sam can't wait to hand Leo over to auntie Montana" I smile as we follow Chris inside realising I have nothing to worry about. "Just so you know there could be a welcome party arriving soon. The boys have been waiting for you both to get here" Chris tells us and I look at him confused wondering why they're waiting for me when I haven't met any of the Manchester United boys before. "Don't look so confused little one. They've all met mum before and they love her plus they're excited to meet you. Think about it Ana I've been here years and you've never been before. The only times we've seen each other is when we've both been back in London".

"That makes me sound like such a shit sister when you say that"

"Are you serious Montana? You're an amazing sister! I have so much respect for you. You left home at eighteen years old to go to university in Australia without any family or friends because you knew it would be best for your career. You done a placement year at the best events management company in Australia and they wanted to keep you, you're that good at what you do. You've worked for them since you graduated and now you've just graduated with a first class Masters degree and I couldn't be prouder to call you my sister. I don't want to ever hear you saying you're a shit sister because you aren't"

"Montana, your brothers right. We're all so proud of you. You've done something that none of us ever did. Try and forget all of the negativity and enjoy Manchester while we're here. Think about what you want to do for your birthday instead" I silently agree with my mum until I realise I don't know anyone in Manchester to have a party, putting that fact to the back of my head I walk into the house with my mum and Chris. I bite my lip as I follow my mum through the house, a habit I've had for as long as I can remember. I look around at the sheer size of the house realising that my brother's life is literally the movie Goal.

"Don't bite your lip little one you don't need to be nervous. Anyway what are you thinking?" Chris asks as I stop walking and look at my surroundings.

"Your life is literally Goal. I'm going to start calling you Santiago Muñez because you are him. Without being an illegal immigrant in the USA obviously"

"And I'm not Mexican"

"That as well plus you don't play for Real Madrid. You're at the top of your game it doesn't get better than this" before Chris or I can say anything to each other I hear Sam shout from the kitchen.

"Auntie Montana you came!" Sam says turning Leo to see me.

"Of course I came. I couldn't wait to see you. I've missed you so much" I say squeezing my brothers wife. She's like the sister I never had "Oh my god he's beautiful" I say unable to stop myself from awwing at the three month old in her arms. I place a kiss on Leo's forehead mesmerised by him "Auntie Montana loves you so much" turning around I notice that my brother and his wife have been sat with none other than Jesse Lingard.

"Holy fucking shit you're Jesse Lingard!" Realising what I've said I cover my face with my hand out of embarrassment. Being from a footballing family there's no denying that I know my stuff when it comes to the beautiful game and seeing Jesse in my brothers kitchen I realise just how much of a big deal he is in the footballing world.

"Daddy, she said a bad word!" Hearing a voice from behind Jesse I instantly regret walking into the kitchen. That's clearly his daughter and I just swore in front of her. Brilliant first impression Montana.

"I shouldn't have said that. This is the reason why I'm not a parent. I'm so sorry Sam I've been in your house less than a minute and I'm already reaping havoc!"

"This is one of the reasons why I've missed you Montana. You literally have no filter and you're absolutely hilarious. For the record, yes that is Jesse Lingard" I pass Leo over to my brother and make my way over to Jesse.

"It's so good to meet you! I'm Montana, the younger and better looking Smalling sibling" I hold my hand out to Jesse to shake his hand but instead receive an air kiss on each cheek.

"It's nice to finally meet the famous Montana I've heard so much about" Jesse says. Feeling his gaze on me I suddenly feel self conscious of the grey and blue Adidas tracksuit I decided to fly in. Maybe if I'd been warned I would've dressed more presentable.

"All good I hope" I sneak Jesse a sly wink as I hear my mum finally enter the kitchen to greet the footballer as if he's a relative she hasn't seen for years. Of course she's met him before, she visits all of the time and this is something she very obviously didn't tell me about. I watch the reunion between the two as I take a seat on the kitchen counter "Chris? Can I come to training with you one day?" I ask deciding I want to see exactly what Manchester has to offer.

"Ooh already after the team, now we know why you finally agreed to come to see us. I'm sure Chris would love you to go with him in fact you should go tomorrow" Sam says confident that my brother would agree to something as outrageous as this, knowing how protective he is I already know he'll protest until the cows come home.

"Don't even think about it Montana! My team mates are off limits, the same applies to United as it did to any team I've played for in the past"

"I didn't say I was going to sleep with the team! Anyway Fulham had no one who caught my eye, Manchester could be different, I guess I'll just have to find out for myself won't I? I'll set my alarm for tomorrow morning. Now if you'll excuse me, I need a shower. It was nice meeting you Jesse, hopefully you'll see more of me tomorrow" jumping off the kitchen counter I grab my bags from the hallway and make my way to the bedroom Sam has shown me many times while we've spoke over FaceTime. Welcome to Manchester, Montana.