Lost and Found

twenty-one

I was extremely thankful that the flight to Colorado for April camp was a lot shorter than the previous camp as travelling by myself and a toddler was something I was quickly despising. Especially being so young, no one ever offered to help so I was often left trying to juggle my luggage, the stroller and Scarlett through the airport. Our first game was against Australia which would be a difficult game but then we would be travelling back to California as a team to play Belgium.

I had yet to tell Scarlett we were off to see her aunties in case she got overly excited and she was too young to make the connection that we only ever got on a plane when I was playing for the national team. I knew Alex was already at the team hotel so I texted her as our car pulled up so she could meet us in the hotel lobby. With some help from the driver, I got all our stuff out while carrying an extremely cranky Scarlett.

"Mama has a surprise for you. Scarley close your eyes." I told her as I put her down in the lobby. It took me a couple of times repeating myself before she followed my instructions but luckily, she hadn't spotted my sister yet.

I used my hands to cover her eyes just in case she cheated while Alex got in position, kneeling down a few meters away from us. I waited until Kelley, who had her phone out ready to film, was stood just behind us to remove my hands.

"Ready, steady, ... GO!" I told her and the moment Alex was in her view, she ran towards her and into her arms. I couldn't stop grinning as Alex spun her around and smothered her with kisses. Kelley gave me a quick hug before deciding to go join in and spoil my daughter.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my favorite blonde-haired midfielder enter the lobby and I immediately abandoned all my luggage and ran, much like my daughter had just done, into her arms. Fortunately, Lindsey saw me coming and was prepared to lift me up.

"Well that may be the best hello I've ever gotten." She said looking up at me. "I missed you too."

"Addie?" Called Jill who I suddenly noticed was stood near the front next desk and had probably been there the whole time. "If you've got a minute."

Lindsey put me down and I headed over to Jill while she went and grabbed my stuff. I quickly glanced at Scarlett to see she was still thieving all the attention of her two aunties. Jill explained that I was still rooming by myself and that she, like before, had arranged a travel crib for Scarlett. She gave us a room key plus a spare for Alex and then told us we could go settle in.

I asked my sister and her girlfriend if they would mind babysitting for a bit while I got unpacked and they both jumped at the chance to, having only seen her through a screen for the last month. They decided just to go to their hotel room with Scarlett in case she got overwhelmed by the rest of the girls when I wasn't with her. Because of her bond with Alex, Kelley and now with Lindsey, even I sometimes forgot she'd really only met the team once before. I'd only even been called up to two camps myself!

Lindsey helped me unpack all my stuff which I was grateful for but when she suggested we go get Scarlett from my sister I held her back.

"Or you and I could cuddle for a while?" I suggested.

Lindsey happily agreed and literally jumped in my bed, grinning widely at me. I followed her lead and climbed into her embrace. After a while, I had moved so that I was lying on my stomach between Lindsey's legs, my head being supported my elbows while Lindsey sat up against the headboard, gently caressing my face.

"Are we going to say anything to the other girls?" I asked.

This had been on my mind since Lindsey had left my apartment on Monday night but I had been too scared to bring it up to her when we had spoken throughout the week. Now though, it seemed like a topic we couldn't ignore.