Waiting for Chloe
Kelley sat in the clawfoot tub, bubbles up to her ears and a soft indie song playing through the speaker. A perfect view of the sun setting on the Puget Sound in front of her; Kell had all the elements to a relaxing evening except she was far from relaxed.
Kelley was fucking terrified.
The forward sank deeper into the scalding water, hands running restlessly over her protruding stomach. Her hand glossed over her belly button and a small foot swiftly kicked in response.
"Easy there Chlo" Kelley chided the growing infant.
Chloe Maureen O'Hara-Solo was due any day now. Throughout the pregnancy Kelley had been fairly relaxed, leaving most of the panicking and worrying to Hope. Now that their daughter was arriving at any moment, the reality of birth became all too real to the once fearless soccer star.
"I'll make you a deal Freckles," Kelley bargained after a punch to her ribs knocked the wind out of her "if you promise to make your birth as quick as possible, I promise to buy you anything you want for your first birthday."
While she was trying to reason with her unborn kid, Kell didn't notice Hope standing and listening in the doorway.
"She's not even born and you're already trying to bribe our daughter?"
Kelley sat up, slightly startled by her wife's voice.
"Jesus Solo, trying to send me into early labor?"
The keeper laughed, moving to sit on the small stepstool by the tub. Hope sat down and leaned over the porcelain edge, placing a kiss on the hand outlined in Kelley's skin.
"Hi Chlover"
Kelley felt her heart melt into a puddle. Seeing her big badass Hope Solo turn into a giant sucker for their baby was her kryptonite.
After greeting the baby, Hope greeted her wife with an equally gentle kiss.
"How'd she do today?" Hope asked, skimming her hand over Chloe's outline.
"Super squirmy. I swear to God that girl is a future National team member, she kicks so damn hard."
A proud smile burst onto Hope's face. Although she knew that she'd support Chloe in whatever passions her heart pursued; Hope couldn't help but wish that soccer was one of them.
"You got your Auntie Carli and Auntie Christen's feet already huh Chlo?"
Hope refocused on her wife. "How'd you do?"
"Honestly?" Kelley reached up for Hope. Hope pulled her wife up to stand in the bath. She snatched a terry robe from the hook and held it out for Kell.
Stepping into the robe, Kelley shrugged. "I'm terrified"
The pair walked into the connecting master bedroom. Hope grabbed Kelley's pajamas and helped her into them. Once the both of them were ready, the wives got into bed.
"I'm freaked out that something is going to go wrong or that I mess something up or that this kid isn't going to be happy we're her moms. Oh my God Hope, what if she gets bullied?!" The younger woman felt herself getting worked up into a frenzy.
"Oh my God Kell," Hope put her hands on either side of Kelley's face "chill out."
A freckled face released all of it's tension, adding tears to her exhaustion and worry. Her wife offered a sad smile and pulled the forward to her chest; the realization setting in that in a few short days she'd be cradling Chloe in a similar fashion.
Hope placed a kiss on top of damp hair, feeling Kelley's arms wrap around her midsection.
"Babe listen,"Kelley sniffed and looked up "first of all, there's nothing wrong with that kid unless you count her Olympic strength. Secondly, you've been nothing but the best-"
Hope grabbed Kelley's chin, kissing her forcefully to drive her point
"best mom for our baby. Seriously this little girl is as healthy as an ox. And as for bullies, if anyone tries anything, I'll have Carli and Fishlock kill 'em"
Kelley's eyes grew wide. Even though they had been married for two years and around each other for seven, this was one of those times where Kelley wasn't one hundred percent sure her wife was joking.
"I love you but you're kidding about Carli and Jess right?"
Hope pinched the bridge of her nose "Oh my God, that was the only part you listened to?"
"Hey I listened! But I'm just clarifying that you're not contracting half the Reign and Carli for a hit on an eight year old."
The keeper rolled her eyes and shook her head. She turned her attention to her daughter, getting her face directly above Kelley's belly.
"Please come quick little squirrel so mommy gets her sense of humor back"
"HEY" Kelley punched her wife softly in the shoulder
"Careful," Hope deadpanned "Chloe needs a Mom and a Mama around so Carli can make good on her hit."
Kelley huffed, despising getting bested. She was the funny one damn it.
"You're the worst"
"Shut up you love me."
"Yeah I guess I do" the younger woman smiled, letting sleep take over.
The wives lay there, listening to the hum of the Sound and the outskirts of Seattle falling asleep. Kelley didn't realize she was nodding off until Hope missed her forehead and pulled the comforter over them.
"This baby and you are loved Kells, everything's gonna be fine."