Kara's POV:

I walked into Brooke's room for the sixth time, yanking her quilt off her sleeping body once again, pulling her by her arms up into a sitting position.

"Brooklyn, get your butt into the bathroom and get ready right now," I said sternly, "If you don't, I'll call Ms Vaughan and tell her you won't be going for soccer tryouts today."

Once she heard the word "soccer tryouts", she jumped right out of bed, walking straight into the bathroom.

"I'm going right now mummy!"

Despite my slim, limp looking figure, the only sport I seemed pretty decent in was soccer. Surprising isn't it. I played soccer throughout primary school and high school, with my dad and godfather being my biggest fans. Those two were the biggest soccer fans I knew, they always had the latest game playing on the tv and since I was always around them, I eventually got hooked onto it too.

I walked into Brooke's closet, packing her gym bag. Brooke was so excited for tryouts. She was too young to try out for the little leagues last year. However, Ms Vaughan finally caved in, giving her a chance this year. Ever since Brooke was a toddler, I kicked the ball around with her, showing her tricks, watching the glint of amazement in her eyes. From that moment on, she was hooked on the sport.

Brooke came out of the bathroom dressed in her jersey, headband and long socks. Aww, my baby's so grown up. I held out my arms towards her, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

"You look great little one. You're gonna smash it today," I encouraged.

"Thanks mummy," she exclaimed, handing me her hair brush.

I brushed through her long shiny dark brown locks, getting all the knots out before styling her hair in a double french braid. It was the best hairstyle for soccer; it kept all of her baby hairs from flying into her face. Once I was done, I tapped her nose, handing her brush back to her as she placed it back in the bathroom.

"Bring your gym bag down as well," I said, walking out of her room and into the kitchen to make breakfast.

Once Hannah, Brooke and I were settled down, Hannah asked, "You excited for today sweat pea?"

She nodded her head with her mouth full. I gave her a pointed look as she swallowed.

"Yes Aunt Han Han."

I knew Brooke was going to be just fine today. Despite her being less than four years old, she already had incredible dribbling skills and could control the ball quite well with both her feet. She was very agile and quick on her feet, her legs moving faster than my eyes could follow. Her abilities really amazed me. She was very accurate in her passing, even to the extent of surpassing me once or twice. It was really funny when my dad and godfather saw her potential. I thought their jaws would never shut.

"Okay little one. We better get going now," I grabbed my bag, making sure we had everything we needed before heading out the door. We walked towards the car in the driveway, strapping her in before driving off.

"Mummy?" She said softly.

"Yes little one?"

"I'm scared."

"Why is that so baby?" I looked back at her through the rear mirror, slightly concerned, "you're going to do great. I'm very proud of you little one."

She nodded her head.

"Mummy?"

"Yes little one?"

"Is Alessy coming over today?" I was stumped by her question.

"Um...I don't think so little one. He's very busy." I replied apologetically, "maybe you can give him a call later? How about that?"

Her face instantly lit up, "Yes! Yes!" she giggled, getting excited. I smiled, never wanting her to be upset.

"Do you like Alessandro mummy?" My heart skipped a beat, my eyes were about to pop out from its socket as I struggled to find the words.

"....Maybe little one." I looked back at her.

"Well do you?", she prodded, "Yes or no, mummy?"

I was shocked by her assertiveness. But then again, she was my daughter, I taught her to always go straight to the point. Beating around the bush was always a waste of time. She was already so observant and intelligent, I wished she would stay three years old forever.

"I'm not entirely sure yet little one," I finally answered honestly, "if that changes, you'll be the first one to know alrighty?"

"Okay mummy."

"I like Alessy mummy." She continued, "and uncle Dan-te too."

"Alessy promised to take me to build-a-bear one day. I can't wait!" She said excitedly, looking out the window, distracted by the scenary. I really hoped that he kept his promise. I'll stick a skewer up his ass and barbecue him over a fire if he ever intentionally made my baby sad.

We reached the field as I helped Brooke out of the car, handing her her gym bag as we walked towards the team and their coach, Ms Vaughan. As we approached them, I greeted the coach, shaking her hand.

"Hi Ms Vaughan, nice to meet you. This is Brooke." I gestured to my daughter who was attached to my leg, her nails digging into my leggings.

"Nice to meet you too Mrs Coleman."

"It's Ms." I corrected her. She nodded.

"Hi Brooke," She said sweetly, kneeling down to her height, "why don't you go put on your boots and start with a warm up?"

Brooke nodded her head, setting her things down, slipping on her boots, fastening all the laces tightly. She ran towards the field, running up and down a couple of times before starting her stationary and motion warm up exercises. That's my girl.

Coach blew her whistle as the girls from across the field gathered around, including Brooke.

"Alright girls, we have a newcomer whose trying out for this team so everyone please be inclusive," She explained, "Brooke."

Brooke stepped forward, introducing herself with confidence.

"Alright girls, let's start with a 1v1 diamond shooting drill." She said, dismissing the girls.

I smiled, knowing Brooke was going to be fantastic. This was one of the first drills I taught her and she managed to master it within six months, surpassing me more times then I could count. I stood along with the other soccer mums, watching them intently. All the other girls in this club were older than Brooke, most of them were five to six years old.

"She's so small, the girls are going to eat her up." One of the mums snickered, gossiping with the other mums as they agreed with her.

I smirked. You show them Brooke. I didn't bother refuting, letting my daughter's talents do the talking for her.

Ignoring their yabbering, I focused back on the drill. It was Brooke's turn and she was up against a girl twice her size.

Brooke paid no attention to her opponent as she narrowed her eyes, her vision trained only on her target, the goal post. She dribbled the ball, left and right, interchanging her footing, as she charged forward. Her opponent did the same, coming in for the ball on her right, noticing it from her peripheral, she snuck the ball behind her leg, kicking it upwards, over her opponent.

Yes little one! I internally screamed.

She ran towards the landing of the ball as her opponent looked lost before charging back at her. However she was too late, Brooke was already in the perfect position for the shot. The only thing separating her from the goal was the goalkeeper, taunting her with a smug grin. God how can girls this young be so mean.

Brooke headed towards her left, her right foot forward, tricking the goalkeeper into thinking she was headed in that direction before her left foot swung from the side, kicking the ball in the opposite direction. A clean shot right there!

I clapped my hands loudly, cheering for Brooke. She really was spectacular. I looked back at the gossiping mothers, their eyes held disbelief. That's right ladies, that's my daughter alright.

"That's a wrap girls. Take five. A beautiful goal, Coleman," She said, heading in my direction as the girls took a break.

"Ms Coleman, where did Brooke learn to play like that?" She asked, "that was amazing. I don't think half my girls are at the level she's at right now."

"I taught her in our backyard since she could walk." I replied, glowing with pride.

"You play?"

"Primary school and high school," I replied, "In Ravenwood Academy."

"You're the Kara Coleman," her eyes widening as I scrunched up my forehead in confusion.

"You were the top scorer all three years in a row, until you graduated." She said as I nodded my head in realisation. Ohhh, yes.

It was so long ago, I doubt anyone remembered that anymore.

"My mother wouldn't stop talking about you and your amazing skills," she continued, "she always said you could have gone pro before you left high school early for college."

"Your mother's Coach Sarah?" I asked as she confirmed my thoughts. What a small world.

"Well your daughter definitely has skill and we'll love to have her on this team." She beamed.

"Thank you so much. Brooke will be so excited." I said, grinning from ear to ear.

The practice continued on once the coach blew her whistle.

"She won't last long here. She's weak. I bet she'll quit before the week ends." One of the mums sneered.

That's it. No one trash talks my child. I stormed up to there, my mama bear instincts kicked in, blood boiling as energy surged through my veins.

"Listen here you little wrench. Shut your trap about my daughter." I stated menacingly, baring my teeth at her, "My daughter has more talent in her body than you will ever have in your in your lifetime."

"What are you going to do about it?" She sneered back.

"You wait and see." I replied coldly, with a look of nonchalance, "The name's Coleman by the way."

Her face instantly paled, her eyes trained on my back as I walked towards my daughter who was finally done with her first practice of the season. That's right honey, I owned half of this town. After working for my godfather all throughout the summers since primary school, getting paid of course - I don't work for free, I took that hefty sum of money and invested it. I have to admit though, my godfather was extremely generous with my wages. By the time I turned 20, I had shares in almost every business in this town, making my mark and beginning my journey as a rising businesswoman.

I walked closer to my daughter as I saw a few girls from her new team, congratulating her and complimenting her skills. She was making friends already. I smiled. She noticed me standing there, saying goodbye to her teammates, running towards me.

"You got in little one! You did so good," I said cheerily, ruffling up her hair.

"Thanks mummy," she grinned, "I had so much fun."

"How about we pick Aunt Hannah up and head out for some milkshakes," I suggested.

"YES!" She screamed, jumping on me to give me a hug.

"After you take a shower little one," I said cringing teasingly, holding my nose, slightly grossed out by her soaked jersey.

"Mummy," she whined, pouting cheekily.

"Come on little one," I nudged, heading back towards the car.

After scrubbing her body well with lots of soap, we headed off to pick up Hannah from the hospital and straight towards Mel's diner who served the best milkshakes in the world.

Scooting into one of the booths, we got ourselves comfortable as Mel herself came to take our order. I'd been coming to her diner ever since I was a child. She was the sweetest, always sneaking some cream-filled cannolis into my bag whenever we left her diner.

"Hello sweeties, what can I get you today?" She asked, tapping Brooke's nose, making her giggle away.

"A cho-oco-laate milkshake pwease," Brooke said politely, "I got into the soccer team today!"

"Oh my sweetie, we should celebrate! The drinks are on me." She said grinning away.

"No Mel, I can't let you do that," I interjected.

She gave me a stern look.

"Okay fine," I gave in. Mel could be very scary when she wanted to. Don't mess with this woman, she'll fuck you up for sure. Hannah and I gave her our orders as well as, Mel went off to make the drinks.

As we sipped the refreshing sugary creamy goodness, I filled Hannah in on the marvellous play that Brooke did during practice with Brooke adding her two cents in every two seconds, barely able to stay in her seat.

"Good job sweet pea, I'm so proud of you!" Hannah said, kissing Brooke all over her face.

Brooke drank you her milkshake in record time, gripping her head in pain.

"Braainnfreezee," Hannah and I smiled at her cuteness.

"Why don't you go and see if Mel has any tips on getting rid of that?" Brooke hopped off the couch in search of Mel to cure her aching head.

Once she was out of sight, I whipped my hair back to Hannah, "Guess what else happened today."

She lifted her chin encouraging me to continue. I told her about the bitchy soccer mothers and what they said about Brooke.

"Those scheming little fucktards! I'll cut off their tongues and shove it up their asses. No one messes with my sweet pea," She fumed.

"Calm down Hannah," I grabbed her hand before she broke the glass in half, "Brooke will prove them wrong. Don't you worry about it."

"Plus, I gave them a bit of a mouthful if I say so myself." I smirked.

"Right on sister," She said, giving me a pat on my back.

After Brooke came back, feeling much better, we headed home to rest.

My phone beeped.

Hello Kara. Sorry I haven't spoken to you lately. I've been swamped with work in London. How was your day tesoro?

- Alessandro

*****

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