A/N: Hey guys, so I know it's been a while. For our friends who have forgotten Carli and Hope (They're just friends in this story as their husbands are involved) have four "kids" together- Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, and Mallory Pugh. Well, they actually have 2 more that are original characters of myself and a friend of mine. I'm just going to introduce you to my original character, Caroline (C for short), in this little short about her and Hope watching the WWC. C is the youngest child, we'll make her 15 because that's how old I was when I started this, and she adorable just like our other kiddos in the fic (aka she acts a little younger because it's cuter). Enjoy this little thing because it was inspired by something I randomly saw on Pinterest when looking for something for a completely unrelated fic. This is very much "stream of consciousness" too by the way. 

Hope's POV

"C-bug! Hurry up baby we're going to be late!" I shout while putting in my earrings. "The match starts in three hours and we've got to get through traffic and security! Mama wants to see you too before it starts!" In hindsight, I probably should have sent her on the friends and family bus with Brian since Carli wants to see her, but her ticket for today's match is with my company, not the National Team like all her other tickets were. B and I are going to have to play child swap because I am commentating this match.

Suddenly, C runs out of the bathroom and starts digging through her suitcase with her hair not even done yet and no shoes on. "Mom, have you seen my bows? I need my two smaller red ones."

I pick her hairbrush up off the counter and two elastics, "babe, they're over here. Let me fix your hair please because we're late." She jumps up and walks over to me and I start to as gently as possible brush through her thick curls.

"Momma... Mommmm... Mom that hurts!" I sigh and finish pulling the second ponytail through. I did two half up half down pigtails.

"You're fine," I mumble clipping in a hair bow over each elastic. I spin her around and adjust them to make sure they're straight before kissing her forehead. "Beautiful as always."

"You look good too!" Her eyebrows scrunch up and she looks at me confused for a second. Just as quickly her face relaxes and she grabs something from her bag. "You don't have in your bow! Turn around!"

"Carol-"

"No, Mom. You have to wear yours. Don't worry I'll make it so it looks normal." She pulls a few pieces of hair back from the sides of my face and ties them with an elastic before clipping the bow so it sits in the middle of the back of my head. "Now you look perfect!" She jumps up and kisses my cheek obviously very proud and excited for us to be almost completely matching so I don't try to fight the little hair bow anymore. The network is probably going to make me change when I get there anyway.

I grab her jacket, knowing she's going to want it later, and her hand before dragging her out of our hotel room. We're going to be late, I'm going to get in trouble, Carli isn't going to get to see her, and the world is going to end.

"Mom I didn't get a sn-"

"They'll be some food where I'm working, baby, and I bet Mama can get you a granola bar or something from the locker room." I hate to not feed her, but I did try to get her up earlier and she kicked me so there went her crepes for the day. "Babe, you're going to have to go to the locker room by yourself. I don't think your Dad is going to be there yet and I can't go down there." I wave at our Uber driver when we step outside and usher my youngest to it. This app has really been great on this trip.

"You can't go down there because the witch sucks," she pops off while ducking to get into the car. I slide in beside her and swat her thigh causing her to grimace and rub away the sting.

"What have I told you about saying that?" I ask her in a hushed tone. "And Mama and I have told you, you are supposed to call her Coach Ellis. I don't want to hear that again." She just sulks so I confirm with the driver where we're headed and we take off. A few minutes later my little pouter has her head buried in my shoulder trying to make me feel bad for scolding her. I have a lot of kids, six to be exact, but this one definitely tries to work the system the most. I put my arm around her and hug her to my body, enjoying my youngest's cuddles for as long as she'll let me have them.

We make it to the stadium a lot faster than I was anticipating so my stress level goes from about a ten to a two. I tip the driver before taking C's hand again and leading her to where press checks in and get checked. Before I hand her a pass, I take the Sharpie from the table and write my name and phone number, the networks set up area, and Brian's name and number on the backside of the lanyard in case she somehow gets separated from us. She doesn't have her phone because we don't pay for her to have international calls, yeah yeah I know probably not the best idea, so this will help if she gets stopped by security, not believing her clearance, or if she just gets lost when trading between Bri and me. "This does not come off," I instruct while putting it around her neck, "do you understand me? Daddy's and my information is on the back if you need it."

"Yes, ma'am." Smiling softly, I kiss her forehead then start to walk us to where I'm supposed to be meeting with my people. "When do I get to see Mama?"

"Ummm..." I trail off digging around in my purse until I find my phone. I hand it to her while continuing to walk. "Call her and see if she's ready now. They should've gotten here not too long ago or is about to get here." She starts talking while I start looking at the signs trying to locate my section. I'm happy numbers are the same across languages because I would be lost.

"Momma..." C pulls lightly on my hand but we're almost at my gate. "Mom, Mama says..." Just two mor- "Mommy!" I'm jolted to a stop.

"Caroline Elizabeth you better have a good rea-"

"Mama said I can come now!" she insists shoving the phone in my face. "She wants to talk to you!" I give her a small look for being so pushy but take the phone.

"Hey Car, how would you like your firecracker delivered?"

I hear a small chuckle, "oh, she's just my firecracker now? She's just excited, 'Mommy.'" I roll my eyes at her mocking of my name.

"You're just jealous our babies gave me the better name." I swing C's hand back and forth to show her I'm not really mad at her. "Seriously though, where are you? I'm going to let her walk by hersel-"

"No you are not," she tsks. "Aitch, this place is huge and she's going to get lost. Just bring her down here. It won't be that big of a de-"

"I am not risking throwing everyone off by showing my face in there. Car, she's old enough to walk down there." I look over at the kid in question and see her staring up at me with her eyebrows furrowed together. Carli keeps going on and on about how it's too dangerous. "Car... Car... Carli," I sigh when she finally shuts up, "I'll bring her down to the floor, but I'm not going near that locker room. You know that's an awful idea." She agrees to meet us by the stairs and finally hangs up. I swing C's hand again and continue to walk to where my network is located, "Your Mama is such a worrywart." 

"You're not going with me?" I catch the tremble in her voice and shake my head quickly.

"No, no baby, I am. I've just got to let them know I'm here and what I'm doing," I assure her mentally kicking myself. "And I'm showing you where I'm going to be if you go with Dad." She nods her hed recovering from the small panic attack I caused. I quickly check in with my network and explain the situation before leading C down to where the locker rooms are.

"Is Mama goi-" She starts but instantly stops when she sees the lady in question waiting at the foot of the stairs. She lets go of my hand and crashes into Car's chest while wrapping her in a big hug. They've hardly been able to see each other and it's been killing them.

"Hey pretty girl," coos Carli picking her up and holding her on her hip. She smiles and kisses her forehead. "I see you got Mom to match you. You both look great! Are you ready for the game?"

C nods her head enthusiastically before telling her, "The back of mine has 'Mama' and 10 on it! We got Daddy and Zach and Serv one too but they have different stuff on the back. We're going to make them put them on for a picture!"

"That's so cool, kiddo! I bet they're going to look so cool just like you!" She bops C's nose before looking over her head at me with the look... The look I was hoping not to see.

"Who?"

"Who do you think?" I glare at her. I told her to keep me a secret.

"Well what did you tell her? I can't go in the locker roo-"

"I don't know what you're talking about," interrupts Caroline, "but Mommy can't go in there because the witch would melt her." Both Carli and I stare at her unimpressed. She shrugs her shoulders and goes back to playing with Car's hair, "That's what Lex told me."

"I told you this morning not to call her that, Caroline Elizabeth, and what have I told you about what your sister tells you?" I scold. I'm going to beat Alex.

"When did she tell you that?" asks Carli. "I've told all of you, we've all told all of you, to only call her Coach Ellis. You don't have to like her, but you have to respect her."

"Mama, she sucks though." Carli pops her and shoots her another look. "Ouch, mama."

"Mhm-" Car bounces her a little and kisses her cheek- "I'll make it ouch more if you don't be good." C just lays her head on her shoulder in protest so Carli and I continue our conversation.  "I told her you were bringing this one down and I'd ask if it was okay with you if she came out here."

"That entire locker room is going to know what's goi-"

"And?" she cuts me off. "Our kids shouldn't have to suffer from someone's irrelevant feelings. This is a personal matter now- you shouldn't affect the team at all." She has a point. "I'll just go get the kids real quick and I'll make up something."

Reluctantly, I nod but stop her as she goes to put C down. "Let her go with you so she can see Ash and Ali."

"And Aunt Becky?" ask Caroline smiling hopefully.

Car kisses her forehead before setting her down and taking her hand, "and Aunt Becky, and Tobin, and Morgan and everyone else. C'mon baby, let's go get your sisters so they can see mom before we play."

Carli's POV

Walking into the locker room, I let go of C's hand so she can go say hi to everyone. Ali notices her first and wraps her in a huge hug. I'm so thankful my big kids' extended family accepts my little ones. I wish both were here but Care has the flu and had to stay back with Jer. She's doing a lot better today so hopefully, she'll be up for the possible celebrations when we make it back to the states.

All my girls are settled around my locker. Alex is doing Mal's hair, Christen is putting on her socks, and poor Ju is looking like a nervous wreck. When I get to them I crouch down on the floor since that's where all but Lex is sitting and bite back my smirk at the fierce looks of concern they all have staring back at me. "In just a minute, we're going to go outside and take a family picture, okay?"

"But I wanted to see-"

I cut Julie off, "Family picture. With everyone." A look of realization comes to her face just as she's tackled from behind by Caroline.

"Oh Jaaaay Jaaaay!" she sings crawling around her so she's now in her lap. "Your favorite is here! Are you gonna score me a goal today?"

"I think you need to ask one of your other sisters that one, bug." smiles Julie hugging her. "Are you ready to go take a picture?"

"With Mom-" Julie quickly covers her mouth but nods her head. I smile and shake my head fondly at their interaction while getting back up.

"Alex," I start and wait for her to look up, "when you finish with her braids we'll go. You don't have to rush." She mods so I look back at C. "Have you told all your buddies hi?" She grins mischievously up at me before squirming away from Julie and running off to see some on else. 

A few minutes later, I, as subtly as possible, get all five of the kids out of the room as well as Becky who I acquired to take the picture. We might as well actually get one. As soon as the older girls enter the stairway, Hope gets attacked by hugs and "mom"s and kisses. Even Lex, who tries to pretend she doesn't care, cuddles into the group reunion. 

(A/N: Guess the kid that says each line)

"Mommy, mommy! Look! I cut my hand but Morgan had cool Mickey band-aids and..."

"I missed you." 

"Thank you for letting us see you. I missed you Mom!" 

"Momma, can I stay with you before we go back?" 

I pick C-bug back up and hold her tight to me, taking in the moment I get to have with my family. It's still so difficult without having Hope around. She really does complete our unit.

"Babies I've missed you too." I watch as she gives them all a hug and a kiss. "You need to go kill it tonight so we can celebrate, okay? My striker children-" She looks at Mal, Lex, and Chris, "I want goals tonight, got it? It's just like any other game. Chrissy-" she waits for her to look back at her "-new year, new tournament. You can do this. Understand me?" 

A hard blush makes its way on our eldest cheeks, "Yes Mom, I got it. We've got it." 

Hope grins before looking at Julie, "I want the best everything out of you. You're better than your Mama in that midfield. Prove it." I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her statement but can't help but smile at the giggles Julie lets out at the pep talk.  

"Mama," whispers C, "you're better than everybody." I smile harder down at my littlest one in my arms and press a long kiss on her forehead. 

"You're going to be better than everybody one day." I remind her. "U18 training starts back next month. We're going to start practicing together again as soon as I get home." 

"I'm going to ask for 10 this season."

"No more 18?" I wonder confused. She's actually Hope's mini-me... 

She smirks and shakes her head, "Mom is old news. My Mama is where it's at." 

The pride is very evident on my face when I glance up and lock eyes with Hope for a brief second and can tell that she heard at least the tail end of our conversation. She smiles knowingly and winks before quickly changing gears and getting the girls ready for a picture. 

We stand on the steps with Hope and me staggard in the middle and the girls on the step directly below us and crammed beside us. Becky takes a few before getting one with Caroline by her self. Aunt Becky has a soft spot for her, as do all the "aunts" really. 

Hope gives the girls a final hug and kiss and last little good lucks with C doing the same by her side. Becky walks with them back in, she even snags Caroline so I can have a private moment with my best friend. 

"Car, you need to calm down. I can tell you're nervous."

"'m not," I mumble scratching the back of my neck. "Why does Caroline want to cha-"

"Because she adores you and knows you're the best in the world." 

"Hope, I've hardly played this tournament. I'm ol-"

"You're not old Carli," she dismisses crossing her arms and shaking her head. "You are perfectly fit to play and you score just about every time you go in. You should have more minutes. The staff is incompetent in some ways. You know that."

"We know that." 

"What?" 

I feel my frustration suddenly rise and I bite on my tongue. I've had to do this for years now but for some reason, it hurts more than ever today. "We know that. We should be on that field."

"Carl-"

"No, listen to me-" I put up my hand to stop her- "I want my best friend with me, I want y best friend behind me. Yes, Ashlyn and Alyssa are amazing and talented, but they aren't my best friend." I gulp, feeling like I just swallowed the biggest pill of my life and look at her, "You're my best friend. I want to do this with you Hope." 

She sighs before hugging me tightly. "I'm sorry. I've told you I'm sorry a million times." She pulls away but keeps her hands on my shoulders, "You're going to go out there and you're going to do this with your kids. Four of your amazing kids. One of your kids is going to waiting until she gets to be lowered down by her Daddy and tackle you, the best player in the world, as soon as you lift that trophy and the other one is going to be FaceTiming me with her Papa so she can get a chance to yell congratulations at her favorite player as soon as you step off that pitch. The four you win with, well they are going to be running around in the confetti forgetting you exist but they'll remember as soon as you all get on that bus and I don't think you're going to be able to keep from crying when you get to hold Mal and listen to all her excitement after winning her first. Your best friend? Yeah, I'll be bragging about how great you are the whole game and post-game I'll definitely be singing your praises. I may not be on that pitch with you, but four of our precious kids are and I'm still in the stadium. I'm going to celebrate with you when it's over. I know it hurts Car, all our milestones have been done together, but this is yours." Both of us have matching teary eyes at the end of her speech and we hold each other tightly. Noise from the locker room picks up in the hall so we step apart and I dry my eyes. 

"Thanks, Hoppers." I grin sheepishly at her. "Big Bad Solo really does have a heart." 

She rolls her eyes, "And the princess has emotions." 

I smile, "I love you." 

"I love you too." She opens the door. "Send me our tornado and go win us a World Cup. The family shelf needs another medal." 

I go and get Caroline from the locker room and kiss her forehead one more time before opening the locker room door so I can see her walk to where Hope is. "Be good, okay? Make sure you're with Daddy at the bottom at the end. You may come down if-"

"When you win? Yeah, I know Mama." She kisses my cheek. "I want a goal please!" She runs towards the stairs. "Love you!" 

A/N: Do we want more? Sorry, it's long, but I figured it would be okay since it's been so long.