The Family

40

Talia's POV

"Stay safe." Julie says then she kisses my lips right before we get in the locker room.

Once in the locker room I remove my three necklaces and place them safely in my bag. I then change into my warm up shirt, game shorts, my right sock, my left sock, my right red boot, and lastly my left red boot.

"Now if you weren't already impressed with Talia Martin then watch this." Someone on the tv says causing everyone in the locker room to look at the tv.

A video is shown of me snowboarding and going off a jump then puling off a backside 1260 off the heels.

"I...I don't know what she just did but I think Talia might just be a future winter Olympian." Someone on the screen says.

"Talia?" Kelley asks.

"Yeah?"

"What the fuck was that?"

"A backside 1260 off the heels."

"What match up intrigues you about todays Gold Medal Match?" The pregame host asks the panel.

"Easily Lucy Bronze against Talia Martin." One of the panelist on the tv says.

"She's playing right back." I mumble. "We'll barely fucking see each other."

A few seconds later the assistant coach's tell us to go warm up so we do for a while then we come back into the locker room. When I get to my locker I change out of my warm up shirt then put on my red jersey. I then relax in my locker while the speeches happen. Once the speeches are over I, along with the rest of the starters, head to the tunnel and I get in line in-between Lindsey and Tobin.

Seconds later we hold hands with the little kids we're walking out then we walk onto the pitch and line up. A couple seconds later we stand for the anthems, shake hands, the captains do the coin toss, then I run to my position. I wait a few seconds then we kick off the game.

Apparently I was wrong because for the majority of the first half, Bronze and I have a few battles, but just like with my cousin I win them all.

In the 44th minute we get a corner so Christen goes over to take it while I ghost around at the top of the box.

Not gonna lie I'm kinda glad Christen's been starting over Pinoe because her and I have a better connection on the field. I love Pinoe, but Christen and I are better suited together.

After the whistle blows Christen sends the ball towards me and I watch as he ball drops right to me. When the ball gets to the perfect height to volley I put my left foot laces through the ball then I watch as the ball rockets into the top corner of the goal making the score 1-0. Once the ball hits the net I take off toward Christen to hug her.

"Damn Freckles." Christen says as I hug her.

"YEAH T." Kelley shouts as she jumps on us.

The rest of the team join the hug then we all head back to our side of the field. The ref then blows for halftime so we all head into the locker room and rest for fifteen minutes. Once halftime is over we head back onto the field then the Brits kick the game off.

Just like the semi-final game against the Dutch, the second half is boring except for when Lucy Bronze and I have a few more decent battles.

Once the final whistle blows, Christen, who's closest to me on the field, jumps in my arms.

"It was boring, but we won." Christen says.

"Very boring." I say and let Christen down.

Christen and I shake the Brit's hands then we hug our teammates.

"BLONDIE WE WON." Alex shouts and jumps on me.

"Yes we did Lex." I say. "Just remember to shut the door tonight."

"Trust me." Alex says. "I'll make sure it's locked."

"Good." I say and let Alex down.

"KELLEY YOU'RE GONNA HURT YOURSELF. STOP THAT." Alex yells then chases after her soulmate.

My soulmate, however, walks up to me, jumps into my arms, then softly kisses me.

"Nice goal T." Julie says as she strokes my face

"Thanks." I say then I smile up at my girlfriend. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"COME ON LOVE BIRDS." Kelley shouts.

I set Julie down on the ground then we follow our team into the locker room. Once in the locker room we are given special track suits and shoes so we put them on then we line up by number in the tunnel.

A couple minutes later we are lead out to the field then we step onto the top step off the podium and wait to get our medals.

The Dutch get their bronze medals first then the British get their silver medals.

The Dutch beat the Canadians 2-1 earlier today. Lieke and Viv had the goals for the Netherlands

Once the Brits have their medals we are given our medals and the moment the gold medal goes around my neck I grab the medal and take a closer look at it.

"Yeah." Pinoe says and wraps an arm around me. "It never gets old."

"Even after 2 world cups and now 2 Olympic golds?" I question.

"Still feels like the first." Pinoe says.

"Think I'll win a world cup?" I ask.

"I do." Pinoe says right as our anthem starts.

All of us face our flag and look at it the whole time our anthem is being played.

Once the ceremony is over I grab Julie then lead her over to my cousin.

"Hey Talia." Lieke says and hugs me.

"Hey Lieke." I say.

I then pull Julie closer to us.

"I just wanted to introduce you to my Soulmate." I say then motion to Julie. "Lieke this is my soulmate and girlfriend Julie...Baby this is my cousin Lieke."

"Nice to meet you." Julie says as Lieke pulls her into a hug.

"It's nice to meet the woman who has my cousin so mushy." Lieke says.

"Lieke." I whine while blushing.

"So you talk about me?" Julie questions with a smirk.

"All the time." Lieke says.

"Shush." I say and cover Lieke's mouth.

Lieke licks my hand so I take it off her mouth then rub it on her jacket.

"Nasty." I say.

"Love you." Lieke says with a smile.

"Love you too ya dork."

"Well I'm going to go talk to my family so I'll call you later."

"Alright." I say then hug my Cousin.

Lieke hugs Julie again then she walks over to her family.

"You know I can't wait to get to the hotel." Julie whispers.

"Why baby?" I question.

"Cause you and I are going to have our own celebration."