Only You

First date... For Five?

"Mum, this is Florence... she's eh- well erm.." the blonde cleared her throat before speaking up again, this time with a newfound confidence "well she's a very special person to me" she stated proudly.

The red haired woman grinned excitedly at what Leah had suggested through her expression and use of words.

"Hello Mrs Williamson it's lovely to meet you... I'm sorry about what you saw before" I nervously chuckled.

"Oh don't worry about it darling, it's lovely to meet you too, and please call me Amanda" She spoke, embracing me in a tight hug, immediately filling me with a comforting warmth through my body. Her tone was soft and slightly posher than Leah's accent which had more of a London twang in a strange way that too made me feel instantly safe and relaxed around the woman.

Leah's POV

I watched from the side as the introductions between Florence and my family occurred. Holly, ever the jokester began by paying compliments to Flo's boobs which once again had everybody practically rolling on the floor from laughter, Florence initially looking a little shocked but more so at Holly's cheeky persona, quickly flung back the response of "Thanks I grew them myself" that had my grandma Berny gasping for air, not being able to catch her breath from laughing so hard.

Conversation was comfortably flowing, non of my visiting family questioning the particulars of mine and Flo's relationship, thankfully keeping everything moving nice and smoothly.

Out of nowhere, my grandma was insisting that Flo had to join us for lunch, everyone desperate to learn more about her and us. Florence looked to me for her response, truthfully I was rather enjoying being able to witness all this unfold as well as wanting as much time with her as possible anyway, so eagerly nodded my head, extending the invite for her to join.

Florence's POV

My agreement to accompany the group of women to lunch resulted in excited cheers from Berny and Holly, with Amanda smiling ear to ear appearing delighted with the result.

-

Arriving at the chosen restaurant we were quickly seated at a table for the five of us, it was a quiet place, it looked fancy but perfect for a family outing. The waiters and staff in general seemed well accompanied with the Williamson clan, immediately chatting with Holly and Berny as they collected the drink orders.

Once everybody was happily sat with their food and drinks, the group of us engaged in conversation again. Me being the target of most questions, the women all easily intrigued and genuinely interested in my responses.

"Where abouts are you from dear, your accent is like nothing I've ever heard before" Amanda politely commented.

I explained how I was born in Scotland, with my mum being Scottish, and my dad being Irish. Then how I grew up in Milton Keynes, but moved to Whitby, then eventually Manchester as soon as I could to play for United. My accent picking up on the odd variety of dialects quite easily due to being surrounded by so many.

"Oh that's interesting, you've been up and down the country then" Berny chipped in "where's been your favourite place to live?

"Err well actually I've never really had that homely feeling, it's like I've just been place to place and not had much of a desire to settle... But I moved into my new apartment just a few days ago now and I'm completely in love with everything about it. It's the first time I've felt like this before. Everything feels like it's moving so smoothly it's just meant to be, the house, the area, Arsenal, and the people especially" I explained, glancing to Leah with a smile at the end.

Everybody seemed pleased with my response, Leah's smile so deep her dimples were fully on show, setting off the fluttering sensation of butterflies again.

Everything, I thought, was going great. What was probably going to be a boring day at home in my apartment unpacking more boxes, had turned into a day of laughs. Meeting people I hope to be seeing more of because they're all good fun. Especially Holly, I hope to carry on talking with her she's great fun.

Then it all slightly came crumbling down.

"So are you close with your family Florence?" Amanda chose as her next question, attempting to learn more about my life.

I subconsciously shifted in my seat, I felt my Emily slightly falter, my body becoming rigid and tense at the mention of my 'family'. The dad who pretended I didn't exist, the privileged younger sister who had received all the love I was desperate for growing up. And my mum. The one who did love me, stood up for me, but stayed in a toxic marriage with the man who was leading me to destroy myself for so long, that I had to leave them all... fleeing to Manchester and living with Less. That was way before everything happened though, I won't be speaking to any of them anytime soon. I much prefer my chosen family. Less, Tooney, Beffy. My teammates become home not the people who made me put up with that.

I try to regain my composure, plaster the smile back on my face before I respond, but I can feel the shifted mood. Leah looked at me, slightly troubled by my distress, she placed her hand on my knee, not knowing anything about what's to be explained, but providing me comfort anyway. Amanda looks apologetic as though she is aware she's hit a sore spot. And Holly and Berny are quiet, attempting to provide me with control over what is said next. So I do.

"Err... I'm not no. Not close with them at all. I have a sister, Hallie. I last had contact with her at Christmas, I sent a Christmas card and she sent one back... that was that. Things were never good between myself and my dad, then something happened and well- I had to get away, leaving all of them behind in MK when Beth and her family took me in, then I joined the United academy at 15. Some things happened a few years back and uhh- well there's no chance of me talking to my mum or dad anytime soon. What happens with Hallie is all down to her, she chose to cut me off so I try and let her have control over what happens between us." I explained as best as I could, whilst also refraining from getting deep into the how's and why's of it all.

"Oh Flo, I'm so sorry darling. You've paved an incredible path for yourself without having the love and support from where you came from and that's incredible. Just know you have us now. You'll have the entire Williamson-Baker clan wrapped around your finger before you know it. Our Leah has picked a good one" Amanda said, holding my hand above the table to further emphasise her words, before sending a toothy grin and a wink to Leah who began to turn a bit pink, blushing as she shook her head laughing and fiddled with the spare cutlery on the table.

"I really have" Leah smiled at me softly my heart completely melting as I placed my hand on top of the one she had placed on my knee.