Saved by the USWNT

Ch. 37 - Therapy

Charlotte POV

Mom set up a therapy appointment for me and Liv earlier this week and we are at the office now for the appointment.

A middle aged woman walked out into the waiting area and called our names so we all stood up. When she saw moms coming with us she stopped them, "It's actually better if parents don't come in. Children tend to open up more when parents aren't present."

I was not having that and stood my ground with my arms crossed over my chest. "If moms don't come with then I'm not going in." I looked over and Liv stood similar to me while nodding her head.

"You know you are allowed to not have them in there right?" The therapist that I'm starting to not like said to me.

"I know that, but everything I'm going to tell you they already know. Either they go in or I leave." I said still not moving.

Mom came over to me, "Char baby, are you sure? Mama and I don't mind waiting out here."

I gave the therapist one of moms glares, "Either we all go in or I leave."

"You heard the girl!" Liv yelled causing me to break my glare and laugh. The therapist was a little unsure but ultimately we all went in.

Before we walked through the door, Mom held me back some, "Really?" She asked me laughing. 

I shot her a confused look, "What do you mean really?"

She shook her head, "You had to use one of my glares on the new therapist huh? You have really mastered it though so I'm not mad about it."

I smiled and lightly shoved her as we walked in. 

Liv and I sat in the middle of the couch with mama on her side and mom on mine. Liv and I were holding hands but we were both leaned into our moms.

We basically told the therapist our whole life story before mom took over and explained my panic attacks. After talking to the therapist a little more, she asked if we wanted to get on medication which we instantly shook our heads to. I didn't have a problem with the idea of medication, but I just had a bad feeling about it.

The therapist agreed that I needed a service animal and approved that. What surprised us more was she said she thought Liv would benefit from getting an emotional support animal. She didn't think she necessarily needed a service animal since she didn't experience panic attacks at my level.

Our agreement with the therapist is that we see her once a month at a minimum, but that we can have zoom meetings since we travel so much. We decided to get two golden retrievers, one for me and one for Liv. Luckily for us the service dog program had one dog whose training was complete that worked for me and she actually had a sister that failed out of the program but would make a good emotional support animal. We pick them up later today.

Kelley POV

We are on our way to pick up the dogs and I can tell the girls are excited. "You two excited?" They both nodded their heads happily.

"Do they have names mama?" Liv asked me.

I nodded my head, "Yeah I think so. Liv I think your dogs name is Rosie and Char your dogs name is Willow." They both smiled but remained quiet until we arrived at the facility.

The girls got out of the car and grabbed each others hands. Hope and I followed behind them holding hands as well. When we got into the facility the workers immediately went and retrieved the dogs and introduced them to the girls who were both in the floor with them. Liv and Rosie stayed with Hope and I while the handlers took Char and Willow to teach Char how to handle her and all about what Willow does.

After a couple of hours we went to PetSmart to get supplies for our newest additions. We had to reprimand a few people though because they wanted to let their dogs interact with Willow who was working.

We got several dog beds, lots of dog food, toys, and extra leashes and collars. I think we are going to surprise the girls and get the dogs soccer jerseys, but that can wait until later on.

We made it home and got everyone settled back in and everything unpacked from the car. I decided we should post onto our Instagram about our newest additions.

We all sat on the couch, the girls were in between Hope and I and both of their dogs were sitting in front of them. We had set up a self timer to take our picture. Once we found one we liked we all posted it to our instagrams, Hope and I's post was similar.

They both said;

Introducing our two newest family members Rosie and Willow. Willow is Charlotte's service animal and Rosie is Olivia's emotional support animal. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Our girls may not have had the best life before we adopted them, but they know they are safe and were able to reach out. Never be afraid to reach out for help.

As soon as we posted the picture all of our phones were being blown up by teammates and family members. Before I knew it Becky was walking through the front door.

Charlotte POV

"Becky? What are you doing here?" I asked confused that my girlfriend just walked through the door.

"Well hello to you too babe," she smiled and gave me a kiss. "I also got a post notification to see you got a dog and didn't even tell me." Becky said with a little pout.

"Sorry Becks. Today was kind of a whirlwind of a day, between therapy and being able to get the dogs today was all shocking." I told her with an apologetic smile.

She just chuckled before cuddling up with me and I had Willow at my feet. She pet Willow  as I curled up and fell asleep in Becky's arms.