| A year later...
25th December 2024

I woke up slowly, blinking against the bright Australian sun streaming through the window. Cait's arm was wrapped around me, her breathing steady and comforting. But as the quiet Christmas morning settled around me, I felt a heaviness in my chest—a familiar ache that tugged at my heart and pulled me back to memories I couldn't escape.

Cait stirred beside me, her fingers tracing soft circles on my back. "Hey, what's going on in that head of yours?" she whispers, voice still husky from sleep.

I take a shaky breath and shake my head, not ready to speak. But as I look into her encouraging blue eyes, so full of love and understanding, I can feel the words rise up, unbidden.

"It's just...I miss my dad," I murmur, my voice catching. "I wish he could be here—just one last Christmas. I used to hope he'd come around, that he'd look past...everything, you know? But now...he's gone, and that chance is gone with him."

Cait's hand slides into mine, fingers intertwining as she gives me a gentle squeeze. She doesn't say anything right away, just pulls me close and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. Her silent presence is comfort enough, grounding me in this moment.

After a pause, she asks, "What were your Christmases like with him?"

A small smile tugs at my lips as I let myself drift back. "We'd wake up early, open presents under the tree... Then later, we'd go to church, and my dad would give to charity in the spirit of the season." I close my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. "When we got home, he'd make a roast dinner while I'd do my own thing...usually climbing up onto the roof with a blanket to think about my mum. Then, when the food was ready, we'd say grace, thank God for everything, and eat together, laughing over silly jokes. Even though I'm not sure where I stand with religion now, those memories...they're precious to me."

Cait nods, her hand moving to cup my cheek, thumb brushing softly under my eye. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Els. And for what it's worth, I think he'd be so proud of who you are."

A soft smile escapes me, and I press a quick kiss to her lips. "Thank you, Cait."

We eventually made our way downstairs, joining Cait's family around the tree. There was a warmth and laughter in the room, the scent of fresh coffee and the crackling of wrapping paper filling the air. It was different, but it felt like home.

After a round of gift exchanges, I handed Simone a small, wrapped box. "This... it belonged to my mum," I say, a little shy. "And I...I'd like you to have it. You've been like a mum to me."

Simone's eyes widen, glistening as she unwraps the gift. She pulls out a delicate locket, worn but beautiful, and looks back at me with such tenderness that my chest tightens. She reaches out, pulling me into a warm embrace.

"Oh, Elena, you'll always be part of this family," she whispers. Her words melt into me, settling in that aching space in my heart. For a moment, the memory of last year's injury flickers through my mind—November 2023, when I tore my ACL and thought I'd never feel this kind of connection again. Cait had been my rock through it all, and her family had welcomed me with open arms during the darkest days of my recovery. I smile at Simone rememerbing how she told me that I'd be back on the pitch, dominating the midfield in no time and she wasn't wrong. In January, I would be back helping my club again right beside Caitlin.

When I look over, Cait's watching me with that unmistakable twinkle in her eye. I nudge her playfully. "What? Why are you staring?"

She shrugs, a little smirk dancing on her lips. "Can't help it," she says, then pulls me close, tilting my chin up as she presses a soft kiss to my lips. My heart does a little flip, my cheeks heating up under her gaze. I barely notice when she hands me a small, wrapped box, her hand dropping to rest on my knee, her fingers tracing my scars from my surgery.

For a moment, I just stare at her hand. The scars still look raw to me, even though they've healed. I still hate them, hate what they represent. It doesn't matter how much time has passed or how close I am to being back on the pitch—those jagged lines always bring me back to the fear and pain of last November.

My mind flickers back to a night not long after we bought our house together, just a few months after the World Cup. Caitlin had just come home from training, her bag slung over her shoulder and her hair still damp from the shower. I'd been sitting on the sofa, wearing shorts while staring at my knees—at the scars that were impossible to ignore. My fingers traced them absentmindedly, the ache more emotional than physical.

Caitlin had walked in with dinner—two steaming plates balanced carefully in her hands—but the moment she saw my face, her easy smile faltered. She set the plates down on the coffee table without a word and knelt in front of me. Her hands found my knees, her touch light but grounding, her gaze steady and full of concern.

"Talk to me," she said softly, her green eyes searching mine.

I hesitated, swallowing hard as I looked back down at the scars. "I'm never going to be the same," I mumbled, my voice raw. "Even if I get back on the pitch, it won't be me. Not really."

Her hands tightened slightly on my knees, anchoring me. "Els," she murmured, her voice so soft and full of conviction that it made me look at her. "You're not the same—you're stronger. Do you even realize what you've fought through? What you've survived?"

I shook my head, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay. She reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, her thumb grazing my cheek.

"I get that it's hard to see it right now," she continued, her tone steady and calm. "But these scars? They don't make you less of who you are. They don't take anything from you—they just show what you've been through. And I'm so damn proud of you for it."

Before I could say anything, she leaned down, pressing her lips softly to each scar. The gentle touch made my heart flutter, a rush of warmth chasing away the cold knot in my chest.

"You're still you, Els. Always," she said, glancing back up at me with a small smile.

The memory fades as I come back to the present. Cait's sitting on the floor in front of me now, that same look of quiet strength and love in her eyes. She nods toward the small, wrapped box in my hands, her lips curving into a soft smile.

"Open it," she murmurs, her thumb brushing absentmindedly over my knee.

Confused, I unwrap it to find the little silver football pendant Cait gave me last Christmas. My eyes widen. "I thought I lost this!"

"You didn't," she whispers, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I just borrowed it for a bit."

I turn it over, seeing the tiny engraving on the back: '27/12/24. Forever and always. Elena + Caitlin.'

My breath catches, my heart swelling as I look back at her. "Cait..."

"I know we're not getting married right now , but I wanted you to have it today." She says lightly and I don't even know what to do but smile up at her.

"Here," she says, taking the necklace from my hand and fastening it around my neck. Her fingers graze my skin as she moves my hair to the side, sending a shiver through me. When she finishes, I turn to her, unable to keep myself from wrapping my arms around her.

Jamie and Renae's teasing "aww" reaches us, breaking the moment. I laugh, hiding my face in Cait's shoulder as Simone chuckles, heading off to start preparing her famous Christmas dinner.

"Shut up, Jamie," Cait mutters, though she's smiling. Jamie just winks, passing me a small box. I open it to find a charm for the bracelet Cait had gotten me for my birthday in our first year of knowing one another. It was a family tree charm that would clip on nicely between the 14 and 19 charms on my bracelet.

"To remind you that you're home now," Jamie says, her smile soft. "And always will be."

Emotion chokes me up, but I manage a heartfelt thank-you. Just then, Peach bounds over, licking my face with enthusiasm. I laugh, and before long, Liho, Caitlin and I's own mischievous cat, trots over, curling into my lap as if to reclaim his place. The family laughs, and I feel a lightness that I haven't felt in years.

Later, as I sit on the bed, reading, Caitlin tugs me up with a grin. "Come on," she says, lacing her fingers through mine. "I've got something to show you."

I follow her up to the roof, where the sun glistens warmly. Cait smiles, nudging me gently. "I thought you might like it up here. Reminds me of the kind of place you'd go to think."

The sky is an endless, open blue, the kind of clear, warm sky that feels both vast and comforting. I glance sideways at Cait, who gives me an encouraging smile, her hand a comforting weight in mine. Taking a deep breath, I settle down on the edge of the roof, and Cait joins me, her knee brushing against mine.

"I used to sit on the roof back home sometimes," I say softly, staring out at the horizon. "Not to think, really. More to...imagine. What my mum was like. What she would've said to me, if she'd been there."

Cait doesn't speak, just watches me with her quiet, steady warmth, the kind that makes me feel safe enough to keep going.

"All I've ever had are the stories people told me." I sat, my voice barely above a whisper. "Dad didn't talk about her much—he said it hurt too much—but my aunt told me a little. Enough to build this picture of her in my head. It's probably not even accurate, but it felt better than not having anything."

I pause, my throat tightening. "I wrote to her, though. In that journal I picked up at my Dad's. I started when I was old enough to hold a pen, and I never really stopped. I told her everything I couldn't say out loud. Like...if I talked to her enough, she'd feel real somehow."

Cait shifts closer, her shoulder brushing mine. "What did they say about her? The stories, I mean."

A soft smile touches my lips, bittersweet and fragile. "That she was kind. Quiet, but kind. She was a teacher, apparently. Loved kids, always wanted a big family. I think she would've been patient, you know? The kind of person who'd sit with me when I was scared, who'd let me talk until I made sense of things. I also heard she used to play football for our local team but because there was no women's team she played with the men."

Cait nods, her gaze steady. "Sounds like you've got some of that in you. That patience, that kindness. I see it every day."

Her words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I can't speak. The warmth in her voice, the quiet sincerity—it makes my chest ache in the best way.

"I think about her a lot," I say finally, my voice quiet. "Not just about who she was, but about what she'd think of me. If she'd be proud of the person I've become. And now, with the wedding..." I swallow hard, my eyes stinging. "I keep wishing she could be here. To see this, to meet you. To see how happy I am."

Cait reaches out, her fingers brushing my cheek before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I can't pretend to know what she'd think," she says softly. "But if she loved you even a fraction as much as I do, she'd be over the moon for you. For us."

Her words break something open in me, and I let out a shaky laugh, tears slipping down my cheeks. Cait pulls me into her arms, her embrace warm and steady, and I cling to her like she's the only thing keeping me grounded.

"I think she'd have loved you," I murmur into her shoulder. "She'd have been so glad I found you."

Cait pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes soft and full of emotion. "I would've loved her too," she says. "Because she gave me you."

It's such a simple thing to say, but it settles over me like a blanket, filling the empty spaces I didn't realize were still there.

We sit there together, the sun warm on our faces, as I let the memories and imaginings of my mum mingle with the quiet joy of the moment. And when I lie back, Cait joins me, our legs tangled together as she leans in to kiss me—slow and sweet, like a promise.

"Thank you," I whisper. "For listening. For being here."

Cait strokes my hair, her voice a soft murmur. "You're part of this family, Els. In two days, we're just making it official."

A soft smile touches my lips as I look up at the endless sky, feeling a quiet peace settle over me. Wherever she is, I think, I hope my mum knows.

The kitchen was warm, bustling with the scent of spices and roasted vegetables, and I felt right at home next to Simone, who'd been teaching me all her holiday cooking secrets. There was a comforting familiarity to the rhythm of chopping and stirring, the easy conversation flowing between us.

"Stir that a bit slower, love," Simone says with a gentle smile, nudging my elbow as I mix the gravy.

I laugh, glancing at her. "Sorry! I get a little over-eager sometimes."

She chuckles. "I can tell you're excited. You want it all to be perfect, don't you?"

I nod, feeling a little sheepish. "Yeah... I guess I just want to make sure this Christmas is special for everyone. Especially since...well, since Cait and I are getting married so soon. It feels like everything means a little more this year."

Simone reaches over and squeezes my hand. "Trust me, sweetheart, you've already made it special just by being here. You're part of the family now." She says it with such sincerity that it warms me to my core. I look down to hide the tears gathering in my eyes and focus on stirring slowly, like she said.

Once the food is ready, I start carrying dishes to the dining room, making my way quietly. But as I approach the doorway, I hear Caitlin's voice, and I stop short, hidden just out of sight.

"She's just...incredible, you know?" Cait says, and there's such tenderness in her voice that it makes my heart stutter. "Every day, she surprises me. She cares so much, and she's so good with Mum...with all of you. I feel like the luckiest person in the world."

I peek around the corner, trying not to let myself be seen, but my heart is melting at her words.

Renae chuckles, nudging Caitlin with a grin. "Someone's getting all mushy. We'll be swimming in sap before the wedding even starts."

Jamie laughs, adding, "Better save some of those cheesy lines for the vows, Cait!"

Caitlin just shrugs, grinning but unabashed. "I don't care if I'm cheesy. I just...I love her, you know?"

My cheeks warm, and I almost forget that I'm holding a hot dish. I clear my throat, pretending I hadn't just heard every word, and step into the room with the platter.

"Alright, where do you want this?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart is pounding.

They all look up, and Caitlin's face lights up when she sees me. She steps over, placing her hand on the small of my back, a small but reassuring gesture that makes my heart skip.

"Just there's fine, Els," Jamie says, smirking slightly like she knows I overheard. I quickly look away, not wanting to give anything away.

Suddenly, the pitter-patter of paws echoes through the room as Peach barrels in, tail wagging, with Liho trotting close behind. Cait laughs, holding up a hand. "Peach, Liho—no running in the dining room!"

Ignoring her, Peach jumps up, trying to get my attention. I laugh, scratching her behind her ears, and scoop Liho up, scratching behind his ears too as he settles into my arms, purring contentedly. "Look who's excited for Christmas dinner," I say, kissing his head as his purring intensifies.

Peach looks up at me with big, expectant eyes, and Caitlin shakes her head, trying to hold back a laugh. "Peach, you're not going to convince her to put Liho down."

As we all settle around the table, I keep Liho in my lap, and Cait reaches over to stroke his back, her fingers brushing against mine as she does. "Remember how we got him?" she asks, looking at me with a grin.

"Oh, I remember," I say, smiling back. "You took me to that cat café after the World Cup, thinking I'd just enjoy a few cuddles. But I spent the whole trip back home begging you to get us a cat."

Renae raises an eyebrow. "Cait told us you were dropping hints nonstop."

"Oh, it was more than hints," Cait laughs. "Every time we passed a pet shop, she'd go, 'Look, they might have cats!'"

I laugh, scratching Liho's head as he starts to doze in my lap. "Okay, fine, maybe I was a little insistent. But you did finally cave."

"She did more than that," Simone adds with a smile, looking at Caitlin with pride. "Taking you to that shelter and letting you pick one out...that's when I knew you were both serious."

"Yeah, and then we met this little troublemaker." I stroke Liho's soft fur, my heart swelling with affection as he purrs louder, completely oblivious to the fuss we're making over him. "He was only two back then, just a bundle of energy."

Jamie chuckles, shaking her head. "Oh, I remember the stories. The scratching, the climbing..."

"Oh, and the 4 a.m. zoomies," I laugh, rolling my eyes. "I think he kept me up more nights than he didn't."

Cait nods, grinning. "And then there was that time he knocked over an entire glass of water on you while you were napping on the couch."

Renae laughs. "Sounds like he fits right in."

As if on cue, Peach nudges Liho, trying to get him to play, but he just snuggles further into my lap, clearly more interested in napping than anything else. Peach whines a little, her tail wagging, and we all laugh at her persistence.

"Sorry, Peach," I say, reaching down to pet her. "Maybe later, okay?"

Jamie shakes her head, laughing. "You've got them both wrapped around your finger, Els."

I shrug, trying to hide my smile. "What can I say? I guess I just have that effect."

Cait gives me a soft look, her hand finding mine under the table, and she gives it a gentle squeeze. I look over at her, our eyes meeting, and in that moment, everything feels perfect. I'm surrounded by family, by love—and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I truly belong.

Finally, Cait and I crawl into bed, Liho curling up at the foot of it. As I settle against her, I can't help but grin. "I heard what you said earlier...about me fitting in."

Cait's eyes widen, then she laughs, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "That was supposed to be private," she whispers, but there's no irritation in her voice, only warmth. "But yes, I meant every word. I'm so grateful to have you, Els. I can't wait to marry you."

I smile, cupping her face as I press a lingering kiss to her lips. "I love you," I whisper, my heart so full it aches.

And as I drift off in her arms, I know that I am, finally, home.