When 3 turns into 4

When you love two things at once

He curled closer, thumb grazing the hem of my shirt.

Then softly: "Do you think he'll still come to the next one?"

I smiled.

"I think he'd come to all of them. Even the ones you don't want him to."

Saturday – Match Day, London Youth Grounds

The morning had started calm.

Ric was nearby, Lucy drawing beside him, Eli running drills on the far end of the pitch.

And then—

I saw them.

A cluster of familiar figures weaving through the other parents.

Beth. Katie. Viv. Lotte. Alessia.

And behind them... them.

My parents.

My body went rigid.

⸻

Alessia spotted me first.

She offered a small wave — not cheerful, not loud. Careful.

She knew what she'd done bringing them.
And she knew I wouldn't cause a scene — not here.

Lucy looked up from her drawing.

"Is that Aunt Lessi?"

I nodded, voice steady. "Yeah, it is."

She stood up and started toward her, but I reached out instinctively and rested my hand lightly on her shoulder.

"Wait for a second, sweetheart."

She blinked. "Why?"

"I just need to say hello first, okay?"

She nodded slowly and sat back down, picking up her sparkly pen.

I walked across the grass — slow, composed, spine straight.

Alessia stepped forward.

But I didn't hug her.

Didn't smile.

I looked at her. Then past her.

At them.

They didn't wave.

Didn't smile.

Just stood there — arms folded, like they hadn't disappeared for five years and decided to reappear at a children's football match like they were owed something.

I didn't speak.

I didn't move closer.

I just positioned myself between them and the kids.

And stayed there.

⸻

Alessia's voice was quiet. "They just wanted to see you."

I didn't look at her. "That ship left the harbour when Lucy had her first seizure and I faced it alone."

Her breath caught.

"I didn't know they were coming until this morning," she said. "I promise."

"I believe you," I said. "But they don't get to watch from the sidelines and act like they never left the pitch."

⸻

Behind me, Ric moved — quiet and sharp.

He walked to Lucy and crouched beside her.

"Hey, Luce?"

"Yeah?"

"You wanna sit with me over there? We'll see better from the hill."