Saved by the USWNT

Ch. 39 - House Party

Kelley POV

Today everyone from the national team is coming to our house to kick off our training camp that we fly out for in two days. Christen, Tobin, Lindsey, Becky and Morgan are already here. Along with Megan and Allie who arrived last night on a short flight from Seattle.

Hope and I are on our way in different cars to pick up the rest of the team now. They all managed to get flights that landed around the same time making it easier for us to pick them up.

I have the Orlando girls; Ash, Ali, Carli, Alex, and Emily, along with Rose who plays for Washington Spirit. In Hope's car she has the North Carolina girls; Abby, Crystal, and Sam, along with the Chicago girls Alyssa and Julie, and of course Heather who plays for the Boston Breakers.

As soon as we pull in the driveway Liv and Char both run out of the house.

Charlotte POV

"Livie they're HERE!" I shout to my sister as we both take off running out the front door.

We both immediately run for the cars and when I see Ashlyn I jump into her arms without giving her any notice, "AUNTY ASH!"

She let out a loud grunt as she held me tightly. "Hey kiddo, I missed you." I told her I missed her more as she set me down and I walked over to Carli.

She pulled me into a hug, "Hi Aunt Carlos, I missed you too." She let me go before I walked over to Mom's car and I hug Alyssa.

"Hi Auntie Lys," I said quietly as we hugged. Alyssa was definitely one of my favorites because she was always so calm.

"Hey Charlie, you good?" Alyssa asked me and I just nodded as we broke from our hug. We all walked inside since Tobin yelled that the food was ready.

I had left Willow in the house so I grabbed her as we all walked in and let everyone meet her.

Hope POV

After lunch we all went outside to hang around the pool and swim. Most of the older girls stayed out of the pool and just hung around and drank while almost all of the younger girls got in to swim. The only one who didn't was Char. She was laying in one of the chairs tanning while Willow laid next to her where the chair provided her some shade.

I think Char was asleep so I made a mental note to wake her up soon to make sure she didn't get burned. I got pulled back into a conversation which I responded before glancing back over at Charlie. All of the younger girls except Liv, Moe, and Becky, were surrounding Charlie.

They looked like they were going to grab her which I knew she wouldn't like, but just as I was about to say something Willow got up. She started using her body to shield the girls away from Charlie, but when that wasn't working she jumped up into the chair with Char and laid on top of her. That caused Charlie to wake up and look around confused so I walked over to them.

"What did you guys plan on doing?" I questioned with a glare rising to my face.

Some of the girls shrank back in fear, but Sonnett and Mewis didn't seem fazed. "We were just going to toss her in the pool Hope. No need to go all momma bear on us," Sonnett said as she made a grab for Char.

"What? No please don't." Char pleaded and I could tell she was scared but I didn't know why. Willow sat up and stayed in Charlie's face not letting her fall into a panic attack.

"All of you, go away and leave Charlie alone." I said and they could clearly hear a threat in my tone as they scattered.

Liv noticed something was up and started walking towards us with Morgan following behind her.

Charlie got up quick with Willow not far behind her. "Thanks Mom for making them stop... I think I'm going to go inside and look for Becky." I just nodded and turned to face Liv who had just made it over to us.

She looked past me and towards Char who was rushing inside with a furrow in her brow. "What happened Mom?" Liv asked me.

I shook my head, "The younger girls were trying to toss Charlie into the pool while she was sleeping. Luckily for her, Willow blocked them and then ended up laying on top of her so they couldn't grab her. She was really weird about it though. She started pleading with them not to and thanked me quickly before running inside."

"Fuck," Olivia said under her breath. I raised an eyebrow at her and she quickly apologized before explaining it to me. "Charlie is afraid of the water." She said quietly so no one else would hear.

"What do you mean afraid of the water? You guys talk about coming out to the pool all the time since we have had it." I question now feeling extremely confused.

Liv nods, "We do come out to the pool, but have you ever seen Charlie in the water? She never gets in."

"Well is there a reason why?" I ask her.

"It's better if she tells you, but I'm going to have to because I don't want anyone to try something like that again. Dad took us to a little creek one day. He was in a really good mood and this was before the abuse became an everyday occurrence. Charlie had brought up mother and it set him off. He tried to drowned her in the creek. I had managed to pull him off of her and luckily another family walked by so he didn't try it again. Ever since then, the closest she gets to water is quick showers. I also don't suggest making her take ice baths."

"Holy shit. I'll definitely talk to the team, but I won't go into detail. They know what I say goes." I told her before giving her a hug and sending her and Moe to enjoy the rest of the day.

I walked over to where all the team was now sitting outside of the pool. "Alright listen up everybody. No one, and I mean absolutely no one is allowed to push Charlie into any body of water and no one can force her into ice baths either. I don't want any questions, what I say is final." I tell them and glare primarily at the younger girls, but some of the older ones as well.

When I walk over to Kelley she pulls me into my lap and whispers into my ear asking me what that was about. I told her I'd have to tell her when we are alone.

Charlotte POV

I make my way inside and immediately go into my room. I don't even look for Becky, I just lay down on my bed and Willow jumps up to lay next to me. Tears start rolling down my eyes from the memory of dad trying to drown me. Willow notices and luckily starts licking my hands to make me focus on her rather than the memory.

I still have some tears escaping my eyes when Becky comes out of my bathroom. "Char? Babe what's wrong?" She comes and sits on my bed before pulling me into a hug.

"It's dumb," I mumble out.

"I'm sure it's not," she says and kisses my head.

"The girls were trying to throw me into the pool, but I freaked out." I say before letting out a sob into her shoulder.

"I'm sorry they did that to you Char. Do you know why you freaked out?" I nodded and she waited for me to calm down some so I could answer her.

"I'm scared of water... because of my dad." I pushed my face into her neck and she held onto me tightly. "He tried to drown me."

I felt her gasp, but she tried to keep it quiet. "Fuck Char. I am so so sorry you had to go through that. But you're here now. You are strong and you have so many people who love and support you. Okay baby? I love and support you."

I kissed her lips and felt instantly calmer, "I love you Becky. Thanks for not leaving me because of my problems."

She kissed me again, "I would never leave you Char." I smiled before she laid us on our backs and Willow came up to lay in between us. I'm glad the team is here, but I'm happy I have my family and Becky with me more.