"How's she doing mate?" Coach asked as I walked out of the dressing room.
"Yeah alright, getting there slowly." I sighed, putting my bag on the ground beside me.
"She like all the flowers?"
"She couldn't believe how many there were, thanks for sending some over too."
"Good, I'm glad she's doing better now. How you coping?"
"Been a few sleepless nights but I'm ready to get back to normal." I sighed, tying my shoelaces up.
"You sure? I can give you more time off?"
"No I'm good, I'm missing it."
"Okay mate, get over there with the other boys then."
I jogged to the boys who were already training and they all came over to hug me.
"Welcome back buddy."
"Ava doing okay?"
"Yeah better thank god. I missed a bit?"
"Nah mate, not a lot." Mikey laughed and we got to training.
I've missed this so badly.
-
"Hey can I ask you about how you adopted your kids?" I asked Cam as we walked in.
"What about it mate?" He said, having a sip of his water.
"Well now that Ava can't have kids at all..." I started and they all looked at me.
"She can't?" Chad sighed, shaking his head.
"Fuck I didn't know that, poor thing." Mikey sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Yeah she took it pretty hard. But I wanted to ask you about it because I told her some of you guys had gone through it yourselves."
"Honestly, it's not the easiest process to go through but it's bloody worth it. When are you looking at getting into it?"
"Well I wanted to ask how long it takes once you put in an interest?"
"One kid it took us a year and a half, another it took us 6 months."
"Far out."
"Yeah it's a real hit and miss process."
"Well I'm looking at going to New Zealand to adopt from there."
"I don't know what their process is like, but ours are both Ethiopian kids and there centre was pretty good."
"It's just a really shitty thing to talk about with her at the moment so if I can kinda get my foot in the door to know abit about it I think it'll be easier for her."
"Yeah understandable mate. When my wife found out she couldn't either she was crushed. Didn't see anyone for weeks. It's not a nice thing for them to go through."
"Yeah, well thanks mate, that's actually been really helpful."
"No worries buddy, I hope it all goes well for you guys."
I smiled and we walked back to coach.
"Good work today boys, now get out of here."
The boys cheered and we walked back into the dressing room and showered.
I drove home and walked up to the apartment.
Kaley was asleep on the couch with her iPad on her chest. Mum was in the kitchen and dad was sitting at the table playing board games with Ava.
"Hey, how was your first day back?" Mum smiled, hugging me.
"Yeah it was good. Didn't realise how unfit I got."
She smiled and I walked over to Ava and dad.
"Hi baby." I whispered, kissing her on the forehead.
"What are you playing?" I laughed, and dad grinned.
"Guess who, I'm beating her."
"I'm convinced he's cheating." Ava laughed, flicking a person down.
"I'm not. I'm just really good at this game." Dad defended himself and I seen him look up.
There was a mirror on the wall so he could see Ava's person.
Come on babe.
"He's cheating baby, there's a mirror behind you." I laughed and she scoffed, looking behind her.
"Sorry, I added that while you were gone." Mum laughed, and Ava grinned.
"I knew you were cheating, there's no way you could've guessed my person after two questions."
Dad laughed and she slowly got up from the table and walked to the kitchen.
"You right babe?" I said, dropping my bag to stand behind her incase she couldn't hold herself up yet.
"Yeah." She mumbled, slowly dragging her feet to the kitchen sink.
"You're getting better with walking."
"It's hard." She laughed, grabbing the juice out of the fridge.
"The boys work you hard today?" Dad asked, cleaning up the game.
"Nah, just a usual day, I've missed it."
Ava looked over at me and smiled and I grinned.
"You had a good day?" I mumbled, holding her cheek softly.
She nodded and I smiled, pressing my lips on hers.
"I missed you."
"I missed you more. I'm glad you're getting back to normal though, you got a little annoying for a minute there." She laughed with my parents and I scoffed.
"What? I was looking after you!"
"No, you were hovering." She laughed and mum pat me on the shoulder.
"I'll look after her, you don't stress hon."
I laughed and Kaley woke up.
"Kay?" She said, walking over to me with her iPad.
"Mm?" I mumbled, unpacking my footy bag.
"Can you send my friend a selfie? She's like in love with you."
"What?" I laughed and Ava raised her eyebrows.
"She just wants a selfie Kalyn. Please."
"Who's this friend?"
"Macey."
"Fine, but you're getting in it with me."
"Okay." She took a selfie and I smiled, then looked at it.
"What is that face you're doing Kales?" I laughed at her pose and she grinned.
"It's what Macey taught me to do."
"Looks fresh bro." I laughed, mocking her by doing it.
She poked her tongue at me and I laughed.
I threw my dirty clothes in the laundry and Ava pulled some vege's out of the fridge.
