Who Knew Rugby Could Be So Complicated?

Cottage

We were the last to arrive. I could hear the sound of the kids laughing already. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. I sneaked in the front door to find Owen and my brother talking over a beer. "You best not be anything like Harry, you hurt her I swear to god I will find you and I will break you" he laughed but I could tell he wasnt joking. I signalled the girls to be quiet as we stood behind the door frame listening. "I promise I wont hurt her, she is the one I want to marry, the one I want to be with. She is amazing, shes so strong, shes beautiful, shes so good with Oliver. I couldnt ask for anyone better" my brother hugged him "you have my blessing" the girls made a "O" face at me and I burst through into the room and they both moved as far away from each other as possible as quickly as they possibly could. Clearly taken back that I was here.

"You eventually find it then, weve been here ages" my brother with the snide comments all the time. I slapped him "dont bloody start! Just get me a drink!" He ran into the kitchen and grabbed me a beer. "So what were you two talking about?" I grinned at them both and they looked at anything but me "nothing" I didnt believe them. "Good game today! When did you become captain?" My brother quickly changed the subject. "About 2 seasons ago!" "Oh, has it been that long?" I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment that he hasnt came to see the games in a while, even when I play near his home town.

"Auntie Amelia, can you come and play with me and Oliver? Kyla is boring and not as fun as you!" I laughed and followed Blake and Lewis into the garden, it was huge. I played football with them. Oliver joined in too. The girls were sat with Nicola (brothers wife) at the garden table. Probably dishing all the dirt on me. All I heard was "well Ben is amazing" "ellis is amazing" then some questions about Owen. I piped up "yeah hes good too" "come join us! It's been ages since we had proper girly chat!" Nicola patted the chair next to her. I reluctantly joined with the boys whining at me. I'd rather play football than get tortured by my sister in law. But the girls loved her so I suppose I had to make the effort sometimes "5 mins with mum and then I'll be back" they nodded.

"Why didnt you call us when your mum and Harry turned up" I immediately tensed and threw daggers at the girls who had just drop me in it "Just didnt want to bother anyone. I was ok I was safe with Ben, Ellis and these" she cocked her eyebrow. "Where was Owen?" How do I respond to this? He was a jackass and ignored me, he didnt see me. "He had issues himself and we weren't a thing then" the girls "hmmed" threw me a disappointing look and carried on sipping their drinks. "So, Owen Farrell hey" she winked at me. "Hes just a normal guy" she spat her drink out. "Captain of the England team, best rugby player out there? That's not a normal guy" why cant people just see Owen for Owen not the big rugby player guy. "I'm a better player than him" I pretended to be offended but laughed it out "Owen's just" "Owen's just what" Owen appeared out of nowhere, looking at me waiting for me to answer. He had a big grin on his face. "Owen's just Owen" I smirked at him.

We spent the evening laughing and drinking. The kids occupied themselves. "Whens your next game?" Ray asked. "Urm not for another two weeks yet, we got a break but training Saturday. They like to give us a break after games" "brilliant you can stay here for a few days. Maybe go back friday, so stay here tonight and tomorrow night" great I didnt want to stay that long. "Yeah sure" the girls agreed. "Whens your next game Faz?" Faz really? I looked confused at my brother and him, they look like theyve bonded. "Monday I think" "perfect we have the whole family here!" Family really? Hes only just met Owen. It was nice that it was like this, but I feel like I'm going in head first and it's going quicker than I could ever imagine. Who knows if that will be a good or bad thing?

"I really like Owen, Amelia, hes good for you and he adores you. So does that little boy" My brother slurred at me hes defintely had one too many, as per usual. I was saved as Oliver ran up to me grabbing his fruit shoot. I smiled luckily Owen went to get another drink. "Amelia, can we stay here tonight? I really like it here" I nodded "thanks your the best" he hugged me, while everyone else just awed at the situation. "You have Uncle Ray and Auntie Nicola to thank for that" Owen appeared again out of nowhere behind me as he kissed the top of my head and ruffled Oliver's hair. The girls both looked at me and I shrugged. Ray looked so happy. Is this what a family is supposed to be like? I was happy but I was waiting for something to go wrong like it always does. This happiness never lasts for me. Was I just being a pessimistic again as per usual?

Uncle Ray really? Is that not too soon?