Alex POV

As Y/n and I were leaving the hotel room, she stopped suddenly. "Wait, Lex, we haven't told my mom about us, and I'm pretty sure the team hasn't either."

"Well to be fair, I'm pretty sure we're not all that subtle about it. I doubt she hasn't figured it out by now, or at least suspects it. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if Kelley let it slip."

"Assuming she doesn't know, though...do we tell her?"

I shrugged, realizing I hadn't actually thought about it. Besides the team, the only people that knew about Y/n and I dating was my family.

"Honestly I don't really care. It's totally up to you, she's your mom. I support any choice you want to make." I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "We don't have to tell her now, if you aren't ready."

Y/n thought about it for a few seconds before speaking again. "I don't know. I mean she might already know, so I guess maybe we don't say anything, but don't like...try to hide it either? See what she says before we decide?"

I nodded. "Okay, yeah, that sounds good to me."

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As Y/n and I walked down the hotel hallway, we suddenly ran right into the very people we were looking for.

"Hey guys." Kelley said, smiling. I met the defender's eyes and silently told her that I needed to talk to her. She inclined her head in the smallest of nods, telling me she understood.

"Mom, can we talk?" Y/n asked Hope, who nodded, a little smile on her face.

"You guys can take Y/n and I's room. Alex and I will go to her room." Kelley said.

The two keepers nodded and before walking off, Y/n shot me a nervous smile, making me giggle a little.

Once they were out of ear shot, I whipped around to face Kelley. "What happened!? Tell me everything!"

The freckled woman laughed. "Shh! Come on, let's go to your room and I'll tell you."

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We lounged on Kelley's bed while I listened to her explain her talk with Hope, and their plans for the future.

"So you guys are getting back together!? Oh my god, Kelley, I'm so happy for you!" I squealed, tackling my best friend with a hug.

"Yeah, I can't believe it. I never thought I'd see her again."

"Well, I'm so glad you did. I know how much you missed her."

The shorter woman nodded. "So what happened with you and mini Solo?"

"Oh! Before I tell you, I had a really good idea for a surprise for Y/n tomorrow."

I went on to explain my idea before telling her about the conversation my girlfriend and I had.

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Y/n POV

I sat on the edge of my bed, across from my mom, who sat on the edge of Kelley's. I wasn't sure where to look, but I didn't want to meet her gaze. On some level, I think I was still upset about everything. Yes, I had appreciated her apology before dinner, but an apology can't fix something like this over night.

My mom had hidden me for 22 two years with little to no explanation, just that she didn't want people knowing she was my mother.

That had really impacted my childhood, not only because I had to lie to everyone, but also because any time I wanted to have my friends over, my Aunt would come over and pretend to be my mother while Hope left.

I know, it sounds pretty fucked up. Now that I understand it all a bit more, it's becoming easier to empathize and sympathize with my mom's choices, but again, I can't just forgive her like that.

"Y/n, I meant every word I said down there, but the truth is, you have no idea how special you are to me. Honestly, I can't even really put into words how proud I am of you, and how much I love you. I am so unbelievably lucky to have you as my child, and I don't tell you that enough. I allowed you to think that I was making that choice because of something you had done, instead of standing up and admitting that I was the one with the issue. I have never in my life been ashamed of you, and I never will be. You are the brightest, toughest, most spirited person I know. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve you."

The brunette wiped her hands over her face, her eyes bloodshot and red from crying, and her cheeks stained with tear tracks.

"Shit...I know I fucked up. I really really fucked up. There is no excuse for what I did, and I can't even begin to imagine what it was like for you. I was so wrapped up in my fears and insecurities that it's like I forgot I was even a mother. I put too many things before you when you should have been my number one priority. I will spend the rest of my life regretting what I did, and I will do everything in my power to make it right. I love you too much, and care about you too much to walk away from this. That's why I came up here in the first place. I finally realized how horrible I was being. I'm sorry it took so fucking long. I'm sorry it took you telling the world that no one would be coming to the championship game. I'm sorry that it took you ignoring me for three weeks for me to open my eyes. I should have listened to you in the first place, and I should have been strong enough to be honest with everyone. You have every single fucking right to be mad at me, and I'll even get it if you aren't interested in having a relationship with me anymore. I just need you to know that none of this is because of you, none of this is your fault, and I am accepting responsibility for what I did, and the consequences that come with it. I don't want you to ever think that I don't care about you, or somehow think you're less than, because the truth is that you're the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I am lucky to be your mom. You're an incredible teammate, incredible player, and most importantly, an incredible person."

I smiled softly at her words, my anger dissolving.

"I appreciate that, Mom. Thank you for listening to me and for being honest with me and the team. I know it wasn't easy, and I respect you for having the strength and courage to tell everyone, even if it took longer than expected. I'm just glad I don't have to keep lying to people."

A small, breathy laughed escaped my mouth.

"I don't hate you. I might be upset, but I don't hate you. It's going to take me some time to fully trust you and forgive you, but I don't ever want you to stop being in my life. Things have been difficult, but that doesn't mean I haven't had a good life so far. My best memories are with you, Jill, and this team. You gave me something a lot of people would die for, that is an opportunity to be the person I am, and do the thing I love most in life. I'm so grateful for you, Mom, and I love you so much."

Hope held out her arms, wordlessly asking for a hug. I laughed, wiping my tears as I stood from my bed, practically falling into her arms. I hadn't hugged her in nearly nine months.

"I'm so, so proud of you Y/n. So proud." She sniffled, kissing my head.

"I'm proud of you, Mom."

We hugged for a while longer, all of my anger and frustration finally leaving my body, making me feel lighter than a feather.

"I can't believe you're taller than me." The brunette said as we pulled away, causing me to laugh.

"Comes with the territory, I guess."

We took our seats once more, this time both of us sitting on the edge of Kelley's bed.

"God...I can't believe you're playing in the world cup, much less playing in the finals tomorrow."

I nodded, exhaling. "Yeah, me either to be honest. It all sort of feels like a dream. I always imagined I'd get here, but I didn't think it would actually happen. "

"You guys are doing so well this year- really, I'm just in awe of everyone's performance. There's no doubt in my mind that you're going to win tomorrow, and I can't wait to be on the sidelines, cheering you on."

I grinned. "Yeah, I wonder how the media will react when they find out you've had a secret kid this whole time."

She stifled a laugh, shaking her head. "Fuck. I forgot about that. I mean I did get bombed by press at the airport when I got here, so people do know that I'm coming to watch the game, but nothing more than that. Pretty sure everyone's confused, especially after all the stories that circulated when I left."

"Well I'd imagine a lot of people are excited to see you- especially back with the team."

She shrugged. "Maybe."

We sat in a peaceful silence for a few minutes until Hope spoke up once more.

"So what's the story with you and Alex? How long have the two of you been together?"

I coughed, choking on my spit. "W-what?" I spluttered, much to the amusement of my mom, who just rolled her eyes with a laugh.

"Oh come on Y/n, I'm not stupid."

"Who told you- when did you even find out?"

"Well just now, but I've been suspecting it for a while. I didn't know for sure. You two are really bad at hiding it. The sneaky looks? You putting your arm on her shoulder but then her slapping it off when she realized there was a camera in front of you guys? I could name a thousand more instances. Never mind the fact that in the weeks leading up to our fight you had been growing more distant. You seemed to be more distracted, but I knew it didn't have to do with the tournament."

"Well shit."

"I'm really happy for you guys. You two are perfect for one another, and I can tell how much you like each other."

"You're not mad that I didn't tell you?"

She shook her head. "No, why would I be? It's your life Y/n. You're an adult, fully capable of making your own choices. You don't ever owe me any kind of explanation or whatever. I want you to be happy and live your life. You have one amazing girl by your side, so don't fuck it up."

"I'll do my best."

Silence once more before I spoke this time.

"Soooo.....you and Kelley...figure it out?"

The goalie smiled, looking down at her lap. "Yeah uh...actually we did. We talked. I apologized."

"And?"

"And...we're going to try again."

My eyes widened. "Seriously!? Mom that's awesome! I'm so happy for you two. I was really hoping that would happen. That's so great, honestly."

My mom smiled, pulling me into a side hug. "Thank you Y/n."

"You deserve to be happy, Mom."

"Well I'm not sure about that, but you definitely do. Trust me when I say that Alex is head over heals for you. I can tell just by the way she looks at you."

"I hope so."

My mom ruffled my hair before looking over at the clock on the nightstand. One minute until curfew.

"Shit, you need to get to bed. It's late and you have the biggest day of your life tomorrow."

"Don't make me anymore anxious than I already am." I chuckled.

"Right, sorry. Okay, I need to get to my room, but I love you so much Y/n, and I'm so thankful that we talked. I'll see you tomorrow morning, and I'll be at the press conference before the game."

"I love you Mom."

"I love you too Y/n, goodnight."