Lily's POV

__Six Years Later__

The stadium buzzes with excitement, the energy so thick it feels like I could float right out of my seat. Out on the field, Finn is weaving through defenders like he's dancing, and Kai has blocked every single attempt at goal. The sun is warm on my skin, and as I glance down at my belly, I feel the softest little kick—a tiny reminder that we're only a few months away from meeting our second baby.

Beside me, Jennie rubs her own growing bump, a dreamy smile on her face as she watches Kai fly down the field. "I swear, they get faster every year," she laughs, her eyes sparkling.

I grin, adjusting in my seat as another soft kick nudges me. "I'm pretty sure they do. And I'm exhausted just watching them."

Jennie gives me a playful look. "So, what's your gut telling you? Boy or girl? I'm telling you, Lily, it's a boy. I just know it."

I shake my head, laughing. "You and Kai are convinced! I have no idea, but I guess we'll see soon enough."

Jennie grins, rubbing her belly affectionately. "We're having a girl, so naturally, you need a boy. Balance the universe and all that."

Before I can respond, an excited little voice rings out from beside us. "Theo, look! Daddy's gonna score!"

I turn to see Isla, our firecracker of a daughter, standing next to her best friend, Theo. Both of them are gripping the railing, their little faces glowing with excitement. Theo, Kam and Shawn's son, is practically bouncing with anticipation.

Kam had Theo just a few months after Isla, and from the moment they met, the two have been inseparable. They're practically siblings at this point, spending all their time together. And with both Jennie and me expecting, I know these two are going to be the best big siblings.

Kam chuckles from a few seats down, her eyes twinkling as she watches the kids. "They think Finn's going to score every single time he touches the ball. I love how much faith they have in him."

Shawn leans over, draping an arm around Kam. "With fans like these, anyone would feel like a superstar."

Theo turns to us, his little brows furrowed in concentration. "Uncle Finn's gonna win, right, Dad?"

Kam smiles softly at her son. "Of course, buddy. He's got this."

Isla jumps up, her curls bouncing as she shouts, "Daddy's the best! Right, Theo?"

Theo nods as if it's a universal truth. "Yeah, Isla. He's the best."

I exchange a look with Jennie, and we both grin. Watching our kids grow up side by side has been the greatest joy. They're more than just friends—they're family.

Suddenly, the crowd erupts into cheers, and I snap my attention back to the field. Finn is sprinting toward the goal, the ball at his feet. My heart races, and I hold my breath as I watch him, my hand instinctively resting on my belly, another little kick reminding me that our baby is part of this moment too.

With one powerful strike, Finn sends the ball flying into the net. The stadium explodes with cheers, and my chest swells with pride.

"YES!" Isla and Theo scream in unison, jumping up and down, hands clasped together as they celebrate.

Beside me, Jennie claps, laughing. "Look at them!" she says, nodding toward Finn and Kai, who are celebrating like a couple of kids who just won a schoolyard match. "As if they aren't grown men with babies on the way."

I watch as Finn glances up at the stands, searching for us. When his eyes find mine, he grins and points in our direction. That smile—it's for me, for Isla, for the baby I'm carrying. Every goal, every victory, is for us.

"Did you see, Mum?" Isla tugs at my arm, her eyes wide with wonder. "Daddy's amazing!"

"I saw, baby," I say, my heart full. "He's always amazing."

Theo looks up at me, his face lit with excitement. "Can we see Uncle Finn and Uncle Kai now?"

I smile down at him. "After the game, buddy. He'll be so happy you two were cheering him on."

As the game winds down, I lean back in my seat, hand resting on my belly, and let out a deep, contented sigh. Being here, surrounded by the people I love, watching Finn and Kai play the game they adore—it's surreal. Nine years ago, I never would've imagined we'd be here, living in Spain, watching our kids grow up together.

When the final whistle blows, signalling the end of the game, Isla and Theo are already tugging at our hands, bouncing with excitement. We make our way to the players' exit, the kids chatting non-stop about the match.

Finn is the first to reach us, his face split into a huge grin. "There's my girls!" He scoops Isla up into his arms, peppering her cheek with kisses. "Did you see that goal, little caterpillar?"

"Daddy, it was so cool!" Isla squeals, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Theo and I cheered the loudest!"

Theo, still serious, nods. "We cheered really loud, Uncle Finn."

"Well, that must be why we won," Finn says, ruffling Theo's hair with a grin.

Kai isn't far behind, scooping Jennie into a playful hug before turning to Theo. "How'd I do, buddy? Uncle Kai was pretty good too, right?"

Theo beams up at him, nodding. "You were awesome, Uncle Kai."

As we all gather, the lingering buzz from the game surrounds us, but all I can feel is this overwhelming sense of joy. My heart is so full, surrounded by the people I love and the family we've built.

Finn pulls me closer, his eyes soft as he looks down at me.

"You doing okay, Butterfly?" His thumb gently brushes over my belly, a gesture that never fails to make me melt. "How's our littlest member?"

I smile up at him, warmth flooding my chest. "More than okay. Though they kept kicking when you scored a goal, seems like we have a little footballer on the way."

His forehead presses against mine, his voice soft as he murmurs, "I can't wait," Then he kisses me, slow and sweet, like we have all the time in the world.

"Ewwww!" Theo groans dramatically, breaking the moment.

Finn laughs, pulling away just enough to wink at Theo. "Sorry, buddy. Can't help it."

Theo crosses his arms, nose scrunched. "Kissing is gross."

Isla giggles from Finn's arms. "It's not gross, Theo. It's love!"

I laugh, watching the two of them, knowing this little family we've built is perfect. Finn looks at Isla with so much love, and I know he feels just as protective of her as I do.

Before Theo can protest, Isla turns her wide, innocent eyes on me. "Mum, when do I get to meet my prince like Daddy is to you?"

The question hangs in the air for a second, and I feel Finn tense beside me, his grip on Isla tightening protectively.

"Your prince?" Finn repeats, his voice low, a protective-dad edge to it. "Not until you're at least fifty, little caterpillar."

"Daddy, that's forever," Isla giggles.

"I'm serious," Finn says with exaggerated drama, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "No princes for you."

The entire group bursts into laughter. Shawn claps Finn on the back. "Good luck with that, mate."

"Oh, I'm ready," Finn says, standing taller, puffing out his chest. "No one's coming near her."

 He chuckles softly, shifting Isla in his arms before gently placing her down on the floor. She lands on her feet with a bounce, her curls bobbing as she looks up at him with a mischievous grin. "Go on, Caterpillar," he says, brushing a stray curl from her face.

With a gleeful squeal, Isla takes off, running ahead with Theo as they race toward the exit.

I rest my head against Finn's shoulder, laughing softly. "She's already got you wrapped around her little finger."

Isla glances back for a moment, flashing us a cheeky grin. "Don't worry, Daddy. I'll pick the best prince!"

Finn raises an eyebrow, smirking. "He better play soccer, fix cars, make breakfast, and most importantly, treat you like a princess—or he's out."

Kam wipes away tears of laughter, shaking her head. "Finn, you are so doomed."

Still smiling, Finn wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. "Doomed or not," he murmurs, his voice filled with warmth, "I wouldn't change a thing."

We make our way to the players' exit, the kids still buzzing with excitement. As we reach the gathering spot, Finn pulls me close, his arm resting gently across my shoulders while Isla chatters away about the game with Theo and Kai about the best goals and who played the hardest.

Finn glances down at me with a smile that makes my heart do a little flip.

"You sure you're okay, butterfly? You've been pretty quiet."

I smile up at him, my hand resting on my belly. "I'm better than okay. Just soaking it all in." I glance at the kids running ahead of us, then up at him, and my heart swells. "I mean, look at us. Nine years ago, I couldn't have imagined this. Our little family, our friends—it's more perfect than I ever dreamed."

He leans down, brushing a soft kiss to my temple, his voice low and full of love. "I couldn't have imagined it either, Butterfly. But I'm so glad we made it here."

We arrive at the players' lounge where the kids instantly spot the snack table. Isla's eyes widen as she runs back to tug on Finn's sleeve. "Daddy! Can we get some treats? Please, please, please?"

Theo, already bouncing on his toes, jumps in with his own plea tugging on Shawn's hands. "Yeah, Dad please snacks!"

Finn chuckles, ruffling their hair. "Alright, alright. Go grab something."

"...but not too much, okay?" Shawn yells, but the kids have sprinted towards the table already, leaving us laughing in their wake.

Jennie and Kai come up behind us, still glowing from the game. Jennie leans against me, her belly bumping mine as she lets out a content sigh.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving," she says with a grin. "I swear, this baby is turning me into a bottomless pit. I mean I already was a bottomless pit but still"

I laugh and nod. "Oh, trust me, I get it. I think I could eat a whole pizzeria by myself."

Kai's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh really? Because Finn here can probably make that happen."

Finn gives me a wink. "Anything for my girl."

Kam join us a moment later, Theo racing over with a giant cookie in hand, but before he can show it off to Isla who's already eating hers, then he spots something in the air. His eyes widen as a tiny fly starts buzzing around Isla,  who immediately scrunches her nose in mild annoyance.

"Go away, fly!" she huffs, waving her little hands at it.

Theo springs into action without hesitation, his cookie momentarily forgotten. He waves his arms dramatically, puffing out his chest like a miniature knight ready to defend his princess. 

"Don't worry, Isla! I'll get it!"

He leaps toward the fly, making exaggerated swats in the air, his face scrunched up in concentration.

"Stay away from her!" he shouts, as if the fly is the most fearsome villain in the world. Isla giggles, hiding behind me as Theo chases the pesky insect away, his arms flailing with purpose.

Kam shakes her head, laughing at the scene. "Oh my goodness, he's really getting into it."

Finn crosses his arms, a grin spreading across his face as he watches Theo heroically protect Isla from the harmless fly. "Looks like Theo's already practicing for the future. No one messes with Isla."

Theo finally gives one last mighty swat, sending the fly buzzing off in the opposite direction. He turns back to Isla, breathless but proud, his little chest puffed out with victory. "There! It's gone. You're safe now, Isla."

Isla beams, throwing her arms around him. "Thanks, Theo! You're the bestest."

Theo, looking very serious, nods like it's a job well done. "Yeah, nobody's gonna bother you while I'm here."

"Let's go get more chocolate," Isla tries to whisper and fails miserably causing Kam and I to laugh. 

Theo's eyes widen and he takes her hand running back to the table. 

Shawn chuckles, giving Finn a playful nudge. "Looks like your overprotective dad squad just gained its youngest member."

Finn chuckles, giving Theo a fond look. "He's a good start. Between me and him, no one's going to get close to my little caterpillar."

Kam smirks. "Just wait until they're teenagers. It'll be a whole new level of fun."

"I think we've got a few years before we have to worry about that," I say, laughing as Finn pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my hair.

Kai nods in agreement, his arm wrapped around Jennie as he looks down at her fondly. "We'll take all the time we can get. For now, we've got babies and soccer to focus on."

Finn's hand drifts to my belly, his thumb brushing over the soft fabric of my dress. "Speaking of which... Butterfly, I firmly believe we're having a boy?"

I laugh, resting my hand over his. "What's with you and Jen trying to guess the gender, we already agreed it's going to be a surprise."

Jennie grins, nudging Kai with her elbow. "I'm telling you, it's going to be a boy. I just know it."

Kam raises an eyebrow playfully. "Oh, so now you're a psychic too?"

Jennie laughs, rubbing her belly with a smirk. "Hey, I was right about mine, wasn't I? It's definitely girl vibes in here. I have a feeling."

Before we can get too deep into guessing games, Isla and Theo come running back, their faces sticky with chocolate but full of joy. 

"Daddy! Mummy! Can we go to the park after this?" Isla asks, her curls bouncing as she bounces on the balls of her feet.

Finn grins down at her, brushing a thumb over the smudge of chocolate on her cheek. 

"How about we head home and have a little movie night instead, caterpillar? We can make some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch... maybe even make a fort?"

Isla's eyes widen with excitement. "A fort? With blankets? And pillows?"

Finn nods, laughing. "The biggest fort we can make."

Theo tugs on Kam's hand. "Can we do the fort too, Mom? Please?"

Kam exchanges a look with Shawn, who just smiles and shrugs. "How can we say no to that?"

Before long, we're all heading back home together, the kids skipping ahead while we follow at a slower pace, Finn's hand warm in mine. The sun is starting to set, casting everything in a soft, golden glow. As I look around at all of us—our growing families, our closest friends—I can't help but feel like my heart is full to bursting.

Finn pulls me a little closer, his voice soft as he whispers, "You know, I always dreamed of having this. A home full of love, a family that feels like it's growing every day. But I never thought I'd be this lucky."

I smile up at him, feeling the same warmth and joy that's been growing inside me for years. 

"We're both lucky, Finn. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

He leans down, his forehead resting against mine. "Neither would I."

And in that perfect moment, with our daughter laughing ahead of us, our friends by our side, and the baby kicking softly in my belly, I know that no matter what the future holds, we've already got everything we could ever need.

It's our little world, and it's perfect.