The Climb

42

Aaliyah's POV

"AUNTIE LIYAH." Lanie shouts as she runs to me.

"Hey Munchkin." I say then I scoop my niece up into my arms.

"What you doin here?" My favorite 3 year old girl asks.

"We're gonna watch your Mama today." I say.

Talia and her team play Chelsea in the FA Cup Final tonight.

Myself, my wife Sarah, Athena, Athena's wife Morgan, and most of the national team are here to watch the game.

"Really?" Lanie asks

"Mhmm." I say

"I sit with you?" Lanie asks.

"Of course." I say. "But I think you have someone you need to see first."

"Who?" Lanie asks then my wife clears her throat. "AUNITE SARAH."

Lanie reaches for my wife so I pass her to Sarah then I walk over to my younger sister Athena.

"Look Axel." Athena softly says as she holds onto Talia's son. "Auntie Liyah's here."

Axel smiles at me then he waves.

"Hi Bubba." I whisper. "You ready to go watch Mama?"

"And Lee?"

"And Leah." I say.

Axel smiles then he nuzzles his head into his favorite Aunts neck.

"Are we ready?" Athena asks.

"I think so." I say then I turn around. "Everyone ready?"

Everyone nods then we leave the hotel and walk down the street to Wembley Stadium.

When we get to the stadium, we get our tickets from the will call area then we head inside the stadium and up to the box that Talia got for us.

"Geez this is big." My wife says as we walk into the box.

"Very." I say.

"You two go sit down with the kids." Morgan says. "We'll get the food."

Athena and I nod then we head out to the seats and sit down in the front row.

"Look babies." I say then I point to my little sister. "There's your Mama."

"Mama sad." Lanie says as we watch Talia warm up away from everyone.

"Yeah she is." I say. "Maybe some hugs after the game will help her."

Today's a bad day for all of us in the Martin family.

"Here you are." My wife says as she hands me food for Lanie and I.

"Thank you Baby." I say then I kiss my wife.

"Welcome." My favorite Center-back says

Lanie and I eat our food in silence while Athena and Axel do the same thing.

Once we finish eating, someone comes and gets our trash then we all focus on the game.

"Aaliyah." Christen whispers in my ear. "Today's not the day that your..."

"Today's a different bad day." I say.

I guess everyone can see how off Talia is.

Christen nods then she leans back up as the game kicks off.

Over the next 88 minutes, Talia dominates the game, but unfortunately the Chelsea keeper keeps every one of her shots out.

"I really hope this game doesn't go to penalties." Athena says.