Fallin' For Her

Chapter 50.

Alexa's POV
I woke to the sound of crying. I opened my eyes and looked at Emily. She was the one crying.
"Hey Em. You alright?"
"I'm scared Lexi. Where are we going?"
"To see Uncle Kyle for a while. Your mommy needed a break and she took us with her."
"I miss mum."
"I know sweetheart. I know but hey look on the bright side, I can take you for ice cream everyday and we can train in the field and work on your touches. How does that sound?"
"Good." I wiped her eyes and gave her a smile. I looked out the window and saw the ground becoming closer and closer. I looked over at Ali and shook her slightly.
"Hey Al. We're about to land." She opened her eyes and smiled at me. I collected all our stuff and got them ready to get off the plane. After another few minutes we landed and went to baggage claim. I held Emily's hand as we followed Ali. We grabbed the bags and walked out of the airport. Ali walked off to the side and called someone. She returned minutes later and sat next to us on our bags. She put Emily on her lap and ran her fingers through Emily's hair. I looked out onto the car park and watched the people. I noticed a small familiar figure looking at me from a distance. I turned to Ali and she saw them too.
"Ali, who is that?"
"Do you think it's her? I thought she wasn't here anymore?"
She got closer and closer and soon began to run.
"KLING!" I got up and ran to her. We met halfway and hugged.
"Oh my god Lex! It's been so long. How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you? Haven't grown I see."
"Good. Hey, I'll have you know I'm 5' 3'. That's tall for me okay."
"Whatever Kling. So what are you doing here in DC?"
"Well Moe and I wer-"
"Moe's here?"
"Yes and if you'd look around you'd see her." I turned quickly and saw Morgan standing there.
"So you run to her and all I get is a look? Well I missed you too Solo." I smiled and walked to her and hugged her tight.
"I missed you too Moe." I let go and laughed at her. Ali came up with Emily and was talking with Kling. Moe and I walked over to them arm in arm laughing.
"So KlingenMoe, any news?" I asked. They both looked at me weirdly. "What?"
"What in the name of god is KlingenMoe?" Kling asked.
"Oh you can't be serious. It's your ship name. It's actually quite cute really." Moe laughed and Kling shrugged. "How long are you staying here?"
"We're leaving in an hour or so. Speaking of which we have to go book in. Cmon Moe or we'll miss our flight. I'll see you guys soon. Come visit in Portland." I hugged her and and turned to me.
"Call me when you land. We have a lot to catch up on." I said to Moe. She smiled and nodded. She hugged and then ran after Kling. I couldn't help but smile. Ali, Emily and I jumped when a car horn beep. We turned and saw Kyle leaning against his car laughing. Ali gave him a glare and Emily ran over to him. He picked her up and kissed her cheeks. Ali and I grabbed the bags and followed her over. He hugged us both and kissed our cheeks. We loaded the bags into the boot and I hopped into the back with Emily as Al and Kyle got in the front. He turned up the music really loud and we sang along all the way to their mom's. It was about a thirty minute drive from the airport. When we arrived Ali took Emily inside as Kyle and I grabbed the bags from the boot.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Ashlyn Harris, Hope Solo, Kelley O'Hara and Carli Lloyd."
"Wow." I grabbed the bags and walked away. I walked in the door and set them to the side. Ali's mom came through the door with her arms wide open. She came over and hugged me.
"Hi Debby."
"Lexi. It's been a while. I'm so sorry for what happened."
"Thanks. Thanks for letting me stay too."
"You're family. You're always welcome." I smiled and brought the bags up to the room. I sat on the bed and let out a sigh. There was a knock on the door and Ali walked in. She came and sat next to me and let out a sigh. I looked at her and frowned.
"What if they don't come for us?"
"Then we'll a life of our own. Just you, Em and I." I gave her a small smile and put my head against her shoulder. She took my hand and started rubbing the back of it with her thumb.
"Ali?"
"Hmm?"
"We'll be okay. Won't we?"
"I hope so Lex." She kissed the side of my head. Emily came running through the door and jumped onto Ali's lap. "We're a family and we'll do it together."
I smiled and looked at Emily. She climbed on my lap and I hugged her tight.
"Lexi?"
"Yes Em?"
"Does mommy not love us anymore?" My heart shattered when I heard her say that. I looked up at Ali and saw tears fall from her eyes.
"Of course she loves you Em. She'll always love you. It's just your mommy and I got into a big fight with aunt Hope, Kelley, Carli and your other mommy. It has nothing to do with you, okay?" She nodded and climbed off my lap and ran out of the room smiling. I looked at Ali and took her hand in mine and closed my eyes. She wrapped her free arm around my shoulder and kissed my head. After a few moments of silence we eventually got up and started walking down the stairs. I looked at all the photos on the walls of Ali and Kyle from when they were younger and smiled. I saw one of Kyle and I on the beach flexing our muscles and posing for the camera. I smiled and chuckled lightly. I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and hug me tight.
"Hey superstar. I'm taking you on a drive to somewhere special so dress comfy." Kyle said before letting go. I walked back to the bedroom and threw on a pair of shorts and a baggy jumper. When I looked in the mirror I saw it was Mom's jumper. I hugged myself and felt my eyes water.
"Let's go Lex!" I heard Kyle shout at me. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. I walked down the stairs and saw Ali standing there looking at the photos. She turned and smiled but it disappeared when she looked at me closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"You were crying. I can see it in your eyes."
"I'm fine. I better go to Kyle."
"We're talking when you get back okay?"
"Yes Al. I love you."
"I love you too." I kissed her cheek and ran out to the car that Kyle was in. I got into the passenger side and we took off. "Kyle where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"But Kyle..."
"Nope. We're nearly there. You'll love it I promise." I sighed and looked out the window. After a few minutes we pulled up to a forest. Kyle got out and I followed him. We walked through the forest weaving through the trees. After about ten minutes of silence and walking we arrived at the top of the hill. The view was spectacular.
"Wow."
"Spectacular isn't it?"
"Yes. I wish I could stay here for hours. It's so peaceful." I looked at Kyle as he looked out over the view. "Kyle?"
"Hmm?"
"Will Ash come for them?" He turned to look at me. He smiled at me and nodded.
"I love how you their happiness before your own. You're one of a kind Lex. I want to know how you do it."
"It's not that hard. I lost all my happiness so I only care about others. Ali is practically another mother to me and I want her, no need her, to be happy. Ash is the only person I know that can do that. I need to know is Ash really in it for the long hall and come back for her."
"Why don't you ask her yourself?"
"What do you mean?" He smiled and pointed behind me. I slowly turned and saw Ash, Momma, mom and mum standing there. I walked towards Ash and stopped into front of her.
"Are you?"
"Absolutely." She pulled out a box and handed it to me. I slowly opened and saw the most beautiful diamond ring in there. I closed the box and handed it back to her. I walked back to the edge and sat down. I heard Kyle talking with everyone as I looked out.
"Mind if I sit?" I looked up and saw mom standing there.
"Whatever you want." She sat next to me and let out a sigh. I looked back out at the view and felt her looking at me. I turned and faced her. "What?"
"You're wearing my jumper."
"I know. If you want it take it."
"No keep it. It looks better on you."
"What do you really want to say?"
"That we need to talk."
"So we can started another argument?"
"No. So we can try fix this."
"What if there's nothing to fix?"
"Then you can decide what happens next."
"Emancipation." Her mouth opened as I looked away. I stood up and slowly walked away. I felt her take my arm and turn me around.
"I am not letting you got emancipated."
"Then give me up. I just want out of your life. You've done nothing but start arguments and hurt me. I'm tired mom. I didn't sign up for this much pain. I didn't even sign up for this life."
"Lex.."
"I just want to be left alone. I want out of this." I walked over to Kyle and Ash. "Can I borrow your phone?" I asked Ash. She nodded and handed it to me. I opened it up and went into the contacts. I clicked on Abby's contact. I pressed call.
Abby- hey Ash what's up?
Me- it's Lex.
Abby- oh hey Lex.
Me- Are you still around Washington?
Abby- yeah. I'm leaving tomorrow for New Jersey to see Christie and the kids. What's wrong?
Me- can we meet in the main park in ten minutes?
Abby- sure thing. I'll see you then. Bye Lex.
Me- bye Abby.
I hung up and handed Ash back her phone. She gave me a confused look and Kyle did the same.
"I'm going out for a while. I'll be back soon. Tell Ali I'll be fine and that I'm in good hands."
"Where are you going?"
"To meet a friend." I gave Kyle a  pleading look and he nodded. I walked away and down the trail. About halfway down I heard footsteps. I turned and saw Mum running down the hill. She lost her balance and I ran to catch her.
"Thank you." She said standing up trying to regain her balance. I wiped all the dirt off her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard your chats with Abby, Kyle and Hope."
"Don't. Please don't."
"Why not Alexa? You and I both know you-"
"No! Don't do that. You know absolutely nothing about me. I trusted you. I believed you. You told me you'd never lie or hide things from me. You, you were always there to pick me up when I fell, made me smile when I was down, you were my sister and best friend and then my mom. And now? Now I feel like like I don't even know who you are anymore." I put my hands to my face and cried into them. I wiped my eyes and removed them. I looked at mum. She just stared at me blankly. I slowly backed away and walked into someone.
"I'm sorry."
"Hi Alexa." I immediately recognised the voice. I looked up and saw Jason standing there.
"Hi."
"Surprised?"
"Not really. Relieved is more like it."
"What?" He looked shocked at my response.
"I wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"For showing me that no one cares about me." I looked from him to mum, who was now accompanied by everyone. I looked at him again and saw he was still shocked. "If want to hurt me then by all means go ahead. Im not scared. Not any more. I've seen what my life has in store and I'm not looking forward to it. So go ahead." He bent down to my height and took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze. He lifted his other one and wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry for what I did to you. I know you will never forgive me but I wanted you to know that I'll always regret it. I'm going to stay out of your life from now on and you can call me if you want anything. As for your life Alexa," he looked over at everyone as they watched carefully waiting to pounce if he makes the wrong move, "everything happens for a reason. I know it may not seem like it right now but everything will turn out the way it's suppose to be so don't lose hope. Not in your future, not in anything especially not yourself. You got to go out there and prove to them that you're worth something. Go make us proud and get your roaster spot back on the u20's. I believe in you. Go back to college next semester and have fun." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. He gave me a smile and let go of my hand. He turned and walked away.
"Dad!" He turned and smiled at me. "I'll see you soon yeah?"
"Absolutely kid. See you soon." I smiled and waved. He chuckled and walked away. I looked at the ground and saw a picture. I picked it up and saw me. It was a baby photo of me smiling like the one back home. It was folded. I opened up the other half and saw him smiling crazy at me as I crawled towards him. I let out a small laugh and flipped it over. There was a message.
You were never a mistake. If anything you were a miracle. I will never forgive myself for what I've done and I don't expect you to either, but I will always love you Lex. I always have and always will. See you soon kid.
- Your father x
I cried after I read that. I walked down the hill leaving everyone behind. I arrived at the park a few minutes later and saw Abby sitting on a bench. She stood up when she saw me and I ran to her.
"Hey kid. What's wrong?"
"I'm so happy to see you. I needed someone I could talk to."
"I'm all ears Lex." I explained everything to her and cried towards the end. She wiped my tears away with her thumb and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "I'm sorry Lex. I really am. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Take me back to Ali's? She'll be worried sick because they don't know where I ran off to." She laughed and stood up. She stuck out her hands and helped me up. We walked to her car and she drove us to Ali's. She pulled up and turned off the car. Kyle's jeep was here along with a few others. Abby turned to me and took my hands.
"Is everything going to be okay?"
"Your mother's love you. Everyone does. It will take time, maybe even years, but everything will be okay." I nodded and got out of the car. I closed the door and she opened the window. "Everything will plan out. Just wait kid. Call if you need anything okay? I'll see soon."
"Thank you. For everything."
"Anytime kid. I'm only ever a call and flight away."
"See you around Ab."
"See ya Lex." With that she rolled up the window and drove off. I looked up at the house and let out a breath. I looked at the door and heard it open. Seconds later Ali appeared. My eyes filled with tears and I shook my head. I walked up to her and walked into her open arms. She rubbed my back.
"I love you." I just cried against her for a few moments. I eventually calmed down and took a step back. She gave me a worrying look.
"They're all in there aren't they?" She nodded and let out a sigh. I wiped my eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Let's go face my demons." She chuckled lightly and wrapped her arm around my shoulder and we walked into the house. I met Debbie in the hallway and hugged her. We walked into the living room and they were all sitting in there. I kept my head down as I made my way to the couch. It was empty. I sat in the middle and kept my head low. I played with my fingers and I felt the couch sink next to me. I didn't bother looking up to see who it was but I knew by the smell it was Momma. I put my head on her shoulder and she put her head on my head. She took my hands and I played with her ring.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I said to no one in particular. I heard them all take a deep breath and sigh. I felt my eyes water and I sat up from momma. There was silence for a moment and I looked up at Ali. She gave me a sad smile. I stood up and walked towards the door.
"Lex wait." I heard Mom say. I turned around to face the room.
"Are you going to tell me or just stay silent?" I looked at everyone but none of them said anything. "That's what I thought. I'll be outside." I opened the door and walked into the kitchen and put the back door. I walked over and sat on the grass with my back to the house. I took the picture of dad and I put of my pocket and traced my finger over it. I saw a tear fall on it. I looked up at the sky and shut my eyes tight.
"Grandpa Jack you said I should come back because they need me. They don't. I don't know why I did come back. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm so lost and hurt. I want to just rewind time all the way to when I got on that plane and hammer her. I wish things turned out differently and that I'd still be happy. I just don't know if I can do it anymore. I'm sorry if I disappointed you. Please show me a sign that everything will be okay." I whispered. I lay back on the grass and close my eyes. I felt drops on my face and then it started pouring. I stood up and looked up towards the sky. I heard the back door open and I looked to Ali standing there.
"Lex come in before you get sick."
"It's a beautiful day Al."
"Lex please."
"I feel free Ali."
"At least put on a jacket."
"But then I won't grow."
"Rain doesn't help you grow Hun."
"It does Ali. Don't you get it? I feel free. I feel like nothing can hurt me. I'm in a safe place."
"Alexandra Elizabeth Solo get in here right now."
"It's just Alexa now. I don't want to be owned." She went inside but left the door open. I turned and looked up at the sky again.
"Is this your sign of showing me Grandpa Jack?" I said out loud. I heard footsteps behind me and I turned to see Ali walking towards without her jacket on.
"I don't even know why I'm doing this but I love you so." I giggled and hugged her.
"Look up towards the sky and close your eyes. Imagine the life you have planned ahead of you." She looked up and closed her eyes. I smiled when I saw Ash make her way towards us. She smiled at me and pulled out the black box with the ring. I smiled and focused my attention back on Ali.
"Can you see it?"
"Yes."
"Tell me what you see."
"Ash and I playing our last international game together before retirement. You're just coming onto the field for your first cap with number 27 on the back. You're beaming and Ash and I are watching you dominate the field from the back line. I get the ball on the right side and see you free in the box. I send in a cross and you send the volley into the lower left hand side and score. You run towards Ash in goals and I follow. You jump in her arms and she spins you around. I then jump onto your backs and make you fall and we laugh as the team all pile on top of us. I hug you with Ash." I couldn't help but cry at that.
"You really believe I can go that far?" She opens her eyes and turns to face me. Away from Ash. She winks at me and puts a finger to her lips.
"Of course I do Lex. We all do."
"Ali?"
"Yeah."
"Turn around." She does and turns around and gasped. Ash is on one knee and looking up at Ali. Ali is crying. The rain stops and I look up at the sky. A rainbow appears. I look towards the house and see everyone standing there. I slowly walk away from Ash and Ali as she proposes and walk towards the gate at the side of the house. No one noticed seeing as all their attention is on the two. I look back at them one more time.
"You will always hold a place in my heart. I hope to have the same affect on you." I whisper and walk out the gate. I walked out to the front of the house and walked down the road. There was a taxi down the road and I got a drive to the airport. I got a ticket for LA. It was a long flight but finally I was home. I grabbed a cab to campus. I walked up the stairs to my old dorm and knocked. I heard shuffling from inside and seconds later my beautiful girlfriend was standing there in a sweatpants and baggy jumper which was mine.
"Hello beautiful." She jumped into my arms and kissed me passionately. I walked into the dorm without breaking the kiss and shut the door. I walked into the bedroom and set her against the wall. She broke away from the kiss.
"What are you doing here? Why haven't you been answering any of my calls or texts?"
"I'm coming back to college. I don't have my phone. I missed you though."
"Wait, are you for real?"
"Yes. You see, I missed this really sexy girl I shared dorms with a few months back."
"Oh shut up and kiss me." I didn't have to be told twice. I pressed our lips together and passionately kissed her. It got heated quickly and next thing I know I'm falling asleep with my beautiful girlfriend in my arms.