Empty Chairs

Keegan's POV

"Here Keegs." Someone says and hands me the line up as we walk into our locker room in Exploria Stadium.

The last month or so has flown by and today's the NWSL Championship. The game's in Orlando and we play the number 2 seed Portland thorns.

We were the fourth seed, Houston was the 3rd seed, Portland was the second seed, and Chicago was the first seed.

We easily defeated Chicago 4-1 with goals from me, Marta, Australian Emily, and Alex.

"Thanks." I say then I look at the line up.

24-Ashlyn Harris (C)
11-Ali Krieger
6-Emily Sonnett
4-Shelina Zadorsky
8-Ali Riley
14-Alanna Kennedy
5-Emily van Egmond
10-Marta
7-Claire Emslie
13-Alex Morgan
1-Keegan Ibishi

Once I look at the line up I hand it to the next person then I head to my locker.

When I get to my locker I take off my necklaces and earrings before I start to change. I then change into my warm up shirt, game shorts, my socks and my gold and blue boots.

After I'm dressed I put my long brown hair up into a ponytail then I head out to the pitch with the rest of the team. When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the starters for a while then head back to the locker room.

Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my Purple jersey.

After I'm dressed Alex comes over and sits in-between my legs then I run my fingers through her hair.

Eventually we're told to head to the tunnel so everyone does their last minute things before we leave the locker room then the starters and I head to the tunnel to get in line for the pre match shit. When we get to the tunnel I head to the position right behind Ash then I follow the keeper onto the pitch when told too.

Once on the pitch we get in line for the pre match stuff then we shake hands with Portland and the refs, take a starting XI photo, then Ash does the coin toss with the Portland captain.

After the coin toss we do our team huddle then, when the team huddle is done, I head to the center circle and when I get there I stand on the center spot for five seconds.

After the five seconds are up I bow to the North stand, turn, bow to the East stand, turn, bow to the South stand, turn, then bow to the West stand which completes my pregame ritual.

Once my ritual is complete I walk to my position and take a deep breathe

I'm so ready for a break from football.

- - - - -

Hope's POV

"MISS HOPEY." I hear Cassius Dwyer shout as he runs into the kitchen.

"Hi Buddy." I say then I bend down and hug Syd's son. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Cassius says. "Where's Miss Keegy."

"She's in the living room with the triplets." I say.

"Okay." Cassius says then he heads into the living room. "Hi Miss Keegy."

"Hey Buddy." Keegan says. "You wanna watch Scooby-Doo with us?"

"Okay." Cassius says as Syd walks into the kitchen.

"Hey Hope." Syd says.

"Hey Syd." I say as I hug Syd.

"Cassius with Keegan?"

"Yep." I say as Alex comes into the kitchen.

"Hi Syd." Alex says and hugs the forward.

"Hey Lex."

"Where's Roux and Dom?" Alex asks.

"Roux was a bit fussy so Dom said he'd take care of her while Cassius and I come to the party."

"PARTY." Kelley yells as she comes into Alex, Keegan, and I's Orlando home.

The Pride won the NWSL Championship on penalties. The score was tied 1-1 after 120 minutes with goals from Morgan Weaver and Keegan then in the penalty shootout Alex and Keegan scored the two penalties for the Pride and Tobin scored the one penalty for the Thorns so the Pride won the shootout and the NWSL Championship

After the game was over we invited all the pride players, all the thorn players, and all of the national team players over for an end of NWSL season party.

The next national team camp is in Orlando so everybody came early to watch the NWSL Championship and come to the party.

"Kelley if you upset my children I will throw you in the pool." Alex says.

"I don't think that's necessary." Syd says. "Your kids look like their just fine."

"What do you mean?" Alex asks then we, along with most everybody else at the party heads to the living room.

Once in the living room we see Keegan asleep on the couch with Kida, Korra, and Luka laying on her chest while Cassius is tucked into her side with his head resting in Keegan's neck.

"Aww." Julie says as Alex takes a picture. "She's so good with kids."

"That's cause she's basically living her childhood now." I say.

"What'd you mean?" Ash asks.

"Let's go talk about this outside." I say.

Everyone nods then we all head outside and sit around the fire pit. 

"So what do you mean Keegan's living her childhood now?" Ash asks.

"She's been an adult since she was ten." I say.

"She never watched a Disney movie before the kids were born, she'd never seen Scooby-Doo or any other kids show, she'd never been to a zoo, she'd never been to a theme park..." Alex says.

"She's basically never been a kid." I say.

"Really?" Sam says and looks at Christen.

"Keegan prioritized looking after her sisters to being a kid." Christen says. "If I'm honest Keegan was never gonna accept a college scholarship."

"What? Why?" Alex asks.

"She'd have to leave her sisters with the Jenners and there's no way in hell she was gonna do that." Christen says. "The biggest stipulation Keegan had when she negotiated with European clubs was that she'd be allowed to bring her sisters along on away trips and only Chelsea, Umeå IK, Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, Wolfsburg, and Lyon agreed so that's why she debated between the five of them."

"Oh." Alex says.

"Obviously Lyon and the best options for her and her sisters so she signed with Lyon and the rest is history." Christen says.

"They seriously need to make a movie about Keegan's life." Australian Emily says.

"Hopey." I hear Keegan say so I turn towards the sound of her voice.

"Yes Keegs." I say.

"Me and the Kids are hungry." Keegan cutely mumbles.

"Alright Keegy." I say with a smile. "Let's get you and the kids some food."