Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 32

Meghan's POV:

Kelley and I just arrived in Utah. Basically we spent a few days in DC after the adoption was sorted out. Then we came to Utah and Emily went back to Portland. I know I am going to miss her but I'm hoping the excitement of being in a new place will help me forget a little.

We're going to stay in Utah most of the time. Even during the offseason so that I can finish up school and have a more stable place I live at. But I will still be attending the USWNT camps and let me tell you I am so excited to see the girls. I have facetimed with most of them but it's different in person.

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Kelley and I make our way across the airport. We just picked up our bags from the baggage claim and are now looking for Becky and Christen. They both wanted to come to pick us up which was nice. I can't wait to see them. Suddenly they come into view and both Kelley and I speed up.

"Hey!" We all greet them. As soon as they see us they both rush forward embracing me in a hug.

"Hey, I'm so glad you're ok. We were so worried. Don't do that again!" Christen rush's out.

"Ya! Thank god you're ok kid." Becky says. She is a little calmer than Christen.

"And hello to my two best friends. Glad to know I've been replaced." Kelley sarcastically says next to us. The two pull away and Becky slaps Kelley on the arm.

"You're not the one who almost died," she says but then laughs and gives Kelley a hug.

We make our way out of the airport. After loading our bags in the trunk Christen climbs in the driver seat with Becky in the passenger seat and Kelley and I in the back. We make our way through Salt lake city to where Kelley and Becky share a house. I guess it works out really well. The way Kelley described it, Becky's room is on one side and Kelley's and soon to be mine is on the other. That way they have some privacy but share the rest of the space. Christen apparently lives right down the road too so that's good. I can't get over the excitement of living someplace that I feel safe in.

We arrive and it's a cute house. More modern than my personal preference but it's way nicer than what Greg and Jan had. The girls get out of the car and start to carry the stuff in. I just stand in the driveway staring at my new life.

"You good?" Kelley puts her arm around my shoulder.

"Ya... Just... everything is different now..."

"Yes it is but I hope it will be good different."

"Yes. Good different." I smile back at her. She led me through the front door.

They give me a little tour of the house before we head over to the room I'm staying in.

"Ok, here it is. We can go get a bedspread and some other stuff to make it more your own at some point. We can paint it too. Whatever you want!"

"Oh, thanks, Kelley. Honestly, it's perfect." I look around the room. The bed is against the wall directly to the right when you walk in. It faces large windows that look over the small yard in the back. There's even a bathroom attached. I start to feel overwhelmed by everything and I guess Kelley notices. Soon it's just us and she pulls me into a hug.

"Shh... it's ok. What's wrong."

"No. Nothing's wrong. I'm just so overwhelmed. Thank you so much, Kelley. For adopting me. For this. For everything. I... I'm just so grateful."

"Aww.. you're welcome but there's no need to thank me. You're my kid now and that's what you're supposed to do for your kids. Spoil them." She said with a laugh.

After I have calmed down a little we spend the rest of the afternoon just hanging out with Christen and Becky. I also call Sophie and tell her how everything is. It's good to talk to her. Christen ends up leaving before dinner saying we should have family dinner referring to Becky Kelley and I. We all get a laugh out of it but end up making dinner together and it definitely feels like a family dinner. It is the best feeling. It reminds me so much of my parents and brother because we would always eat together.

I enjoy the fact that I will be able to get to know Becky more. I really enjoy being around her. Especially since she is such an experienced player. I literally grew up watching her play. I also appreciate that she is more mature than the others.

Kelley and I are quite tired from the day of travel and we all end up going to sleep early. After doing my nighttime routine and being asked by Kelly if I need anything about a thousand times I finally crawl into my new bed.

So many thoughts swirl through my head.

So tomorrow we are going out to get some stuff for my bedroom. I am excited. I really enjoy interior design things so it will be fun. But then I start to think slightly farther into the future. What are my days going to be filled with after tomorrow? I guess I have to go back to school. The incident with Greg happened after only a few weeks at school. But it was now the third week of October. I realize that back at my high school the championship should be coming up. I wonder how they are doing. I am sad that I don't get to play with them anymore. I will have to text Soph and see how they are doing.

Speaking of that I wonder what the plan for me going back to school is. I just have to get through the rest of Junior and Senior year. I really don't want to be the new kid at school. Maybe I can find an online program. I mean I don't think I can jump in in the middle of Junior year anyway with how much I have already missed. I will have to talk to Kelley.

As for soccer, I'm sure we can find a team here in Salt Lake. There has to be a teen club league or something. I know we had one back home but Greg wouldn't let me play on it despite there several attempts to recruit me.

Then thoughts of the future fill my thoughts. Should I go to college? I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. I was always good at science in school. I think if I do go Environmental science or Marine Biology would it but I'm not sure I'm ready for that. If I can play soccer professionally that would be great but I want to have something more than just soccer too.

My thoughts then land on Emily. I miss her already and it hasn't even been a full 24 hours since I last saw her. She texted me goodnight and it made me so happy. It's kind of confusing what we are and that is totally my fault. I hope she doesn't mind though. I mean she did say she would wait until I'm ready which I appreciate. I'm also thankful that no one has mentioned the fact that she is 4 years older than me. Well, I guess the only person who knows is Kelley so nobody else could even make a comment. Uhh... whatever.

I fall asleep with thoughts of Emily running through my brain.