#x kid!reader

"Hopey!" Kelley yelled out as she jumped onto Hope's back causing her to grumble at the added weight. Several chuckles and laughs caught the attention of Hope's as she turned around to see the group standing there.

"Get off Squirrel or we're not going," she threatened causing Kelley to immediately jump off her back and pout.

The group, consist of Alex, Preath, Sam, Abby, Pinoe, and Carli, headed toward to the large van with Hope and Kelley in tow as they chattered about soccer and where they're going. They all got in and headed to their destination.

     •••••

After thirty minutes, they pulled into a parking lot in front a building, Miami Animal Shelter. They all exited the van and headed inside the building and was greeted by an employee.

"Hello there. You must be the USWNT group," the short blonde lady confirmed.

"Yes, that's us," Hope nodded taking the charge.

"Alright, I'm Zoe and there are few rules and I'll explain them as you guys follow me," Zoe said as they headed to the door that leads to the back.

Hope zoned out the talking as she looked at variation of dogs and cats. Then, her eye was caught when she saw a young teenager with short curly hair sitting in one of the cages with a large Doberman laying its head on their lap. During Hope's observation, the group finished their tour and had split up. Hope went to Zoe and asked her about the teen.

"Oh, that's Sloan. They are a regular in here, especially amongst the "dangerous" breeds such as Dobermans and pit bulls," Zoe commented.

Hope furrowed her eyebrows, "where's their parents?"

Zoe frowned at the mention of parents, "Sloan is an orphan...their parents kicked them out of the house when they came out as non-binary and gay."

Hope's heart broke for the teen and nodded thanks for the information and proceed to walk closer to the cage the teen was in.

     •••••

"Hey there," A voice brought Sloan out of her head as she looked up to see the woman in front of her. Joey, the Doberman, growled slightly at the stranger, moving its body to protect his friend while she nods slightly.

Sloan bit her lip as she calms Joey down, "hello..."

The woman smiled slightly, "I'm Hope, and you are?"

Sloan studied Hope for a moment and decided to talk to her, "Sloan."

She nodded and shuffled in her spot, motioning toward to the floor asking if she can sit which Sloan nodded and sat down on the floor.

"So, why are you here and not with the others," Hope asked as she motioned toward to the other dog breeds that were being fawned over by her teammates.

Sloan looked down at Joey who has put its head back on her lap with his eyes closed and scratched his head.

"Because they always get attention. Dobermans never do because of preconceived notions that Dobermans are dangerous breed...They're wrong, they're loyal and not dangerous," Sloan explained, "Joey here has been in this shelter for three years and is set to be put down next month because no one is interested in him, and the shelter is starting to get too full."

Hope felt her heart sink at the mention of being put down. "I agree with you that Dobermans are loyal. I got five Dobermans back at home," Hope softly said.

Sloan's eyes widen at the mention of her dogs and looked at Hope, "C-Can I see your dogs?"

Hope grinned and nodded pulling out her phone showing the pictures of her dogs to Sloan who moved closer to her.

After a while of talking about dogs, the topic started to slowly change to about families and Hope brought up the mention of her parents.

"I hope you don't mind, but I asked Zoe about you because I was curious about you," Hope cautiously mentioned cussing Sloan to freeze in her spot.

Sloan bit her lip at the mention of her and instantly knew that she knows about her being an orphan causing her to tear up slightly. Hope's eyes widen at the sight and brings her into a hug.

"Don't cry, your parents didn't deserve you and it is their loss that they left out an amazing kid whose kind and caring," Hope whispered into Sloan's head.

At that last word, Sloan broke down in Hope's arms and cried while Joey whined at the smell of his friend's tears and walked over to the couple, laying his body over their laps. Hope smiled at the dog rubbing the back of his ears while soothing Sloan's back as she slowly starts to calm down.

After a while, the tears completely stopped, and they laid there in silence until footsteps started coming up to the cage. Zoe appeared in their sight and smiled slightly, "Hey there. Your teammates are already at the front waiting for you."

Hope nodded as Zoe left leaving the two alone. Sloan pulled away from the hug and started getting up along with Hope. Sloan tried to clean her face the best she can as they both exited the cage, locking Joey behind and started their trek to the front.

"T-Thank you...for letting me get that out," Sloan stuttered fidgeting with her fingers.

Hope smiled and ruffled her hair, "No problem, kiddo. Now, I want to give you something. Give me your phone," causing Sloan to look at her weirdly.

Hope raised an eyebrow causing Sloan to huff and hand her phone to her. Hope smiled and started typing into her phone and hands it back, "You have my phone number, text me or call if you want to talk. I'll try my best to answer though I will be working or training most of the time."

Sloan smiled slightly and as they reached to the door, she gave Hope a quick hug and left leaving Hope alone. Hope shook her head and went through the door to be greeted by her teammates who was questioning on where she was but Hope never gave any answer as they entered their van and headed their way back to the hotel.

     •••••

It has been two weeks since Hope met Sloan and Joey at the shelter and every weekend, Hope would go back on her own to hang and chat with Sloan. During that time, Hope would chat with Zoe and eventually Sloan's social worker. Hope knew that she has a bond with Sloan, and it was a special deep bond that she didn't want to lose so she thought of adopting Sloan and decided to start the process for the license to adopt.

Her teammates were getting suspicious of her behavior and her disappearance every weekend so Hope decided to end that curiosity. Hope asked Jill if she can hold a meeting because she wanted to talk to the team.

At 5:30pm, the women starting to trickle in, Alex and Kelley were first, Pinoe, Kling, and Sam next, Krashlyn along with Julie and Crystal, then the Harry's and Christen and Pugh came in next. The rest started to come in and lastly, Emily came in breathing heavily, "Sorry, I'm late," causing everyone to chuckle at her.

Jill shook her head, "Sit down. Now someone wants to talk to you. Hope?"

Hope stood up and moved to stand in front of others while Jill sat next to Dawn. "I'm sure you guys are curious about what I've been doing lately, and I decided to tell you before one of you," she said while looking at Kelley, Pinoe, Sam, and Emily, "do something stupid like spying on me."

The women chuckled at the not-so-subtle hint. "On our little bonding activity to the shelter, I met someone. A teenager named Sloan and I found out that they are an orphan and been volunteering at the shelter for couple years. I chatted with Sloan and learned about their life," Hope started off but was cut off by Kelley.

"What happened to her parents?" Kelley asked curiously.

"They kicked Sloan out after discovering that they are gay and non-binary hence they/them pronouns," Hope revealed causing the others to frown.

Hope bit her lip in nervousness for what's going to come next, "I've been going back to the shelter and started hang with Sloan. During this time, I realized that I don't want to lose them so...I've started the process of adopting Sloan, that if she says yes."

It was quiet for a moment while everyone gathered the information and cheered, "We're going to be aunties!"

Alex mentioned that she was going to be the favorite aunt until Kelley declared she was going to be the favorite which led to a big debate over who's going to be the favorite aunts. Hope let out a relief and chuckled at their antics.

"Wait!" Carli's voice broke through the argument, and everyone turned to look at her. "When can you adopt them and when are you asking them?"

Everyone turned to look at Hope who looked at her phone smiling widely, "I just got approval for the adoption...so I'm thinking of asking them today when I go back."

At this information, the women of the national team got up frantically and started moving.

"WE NEED CAKE AND BALLOONS!"

"KELLEY, GET YOUR ASS HERE AND LET'S GO TO THE STORE TO BUY STUFF!"

Pretty soon, the conference room was empty, save for Hope, Jill, and Dawn who watched the entire thing go down.

"Well...I think that's your cue to head to the shelter," Jill chuckled while Hope nodded and started heading down to the shelter.

     •••••

"HOPEY!" Hope was greeted by the loud voice of Sloan who just jumped into her arms.

"Hey there kiddo," Hope grunted at the added weight.

"What are you doing here? It's not Saturday," Sloan asked curiously.

Hope smiled as they walked to Joey's cage where they were greeted by Joey who was excited at the presence of Hope.

"Well, I want to talk something important with you," She started off.

"Important? Okay?" Sloan looked at her warily.

"It's not bad, I hope," Hope bit her lip, "Ever since I met you two weeks ago, I have grown to care for you as my own and...I want to adopt you."

Sloan stared at Hope silently until tears started forming and slowly trickles down their cheeks, "Y-You want to adopt me?"

Hope nodded silently as Sloan threw themselves into her arms nodding at the answer. Hope smiled widely until Sloan abruptly pulled away, "But I c-can't be away from Joey."

Hope chuckled, "Don't worry, you're not the only one getting adopted today."

Sloan's smile was so wide and bright as they cheered with Joey who was licking their face in excitement.

"Now, come one let's go home. Your social worker knows about it and allows me to bring you with me," Hope said as they left the shelter after signing the adoption for Joey and figure out the pickup date and headed back to the hotel.

     •••••

Hope and Sloan was found standing outside of the conference room.

"Now I have to warn you, I told the team about the adoption, and they have might slightly gone crazy."

"Why would they care about me? I'm just...me."

"Sloan, they care about you because you are now the new member of our close family. You're my kid which means they are your aunts."

Sloan nodded and braced herself as Hope opened the door and walked in with Sloan following behind. They were greeted by the room decorated with balloons and a long banner that said, "Welcome to the Family, Sloan!" The women along with Jill and Dawn were standing there smiling at them.

Kelley walked up to the pair and introduced herself, "Hi there! I'm Kelley or Squirrel and I'm your mom's best friend."

Sloan smiled shyly and waved at her, "I'm Sloan," while Hope's heart skipped at being called Mom.

Soon, Sloan was introduced to everyone, and everyone chattered and had cake. It was getting close to 9pm when Sloan was fighting off sleep as she laid her head against Hope's shoulder. Hope noticed the heavy weight and saw that Sloan was asleep.

"Hey, I'm going to put Sloan to bed. I'll see y'all tomorrow," Hope whispered slightly to others who nodded while Hope carried Sloan in her arms and headed up to her hotel room.

Hope entered the room and headed straight to the unoccupied bed and pulled the covers, laying Sloan down onto the bed and pulled the covers over her. Hope went to grab her sleep wear and headed into the bathroom putting her nightwear and headed back to her bed. She turned off the light and thought about the day.

Sloan was shy at first but grew to open up to the girls. While the girls were trying to be the favorite aunt, it was clear who was the favorite. To my surprise and not surprise, it was Carli. Both of them were quiet in nature and got along the quickest. Seeing her smile was amazing and interacting with her soccer family was heartwarming.

Hope turned on her side facing Sloan and softly said, "Goodnight kiddo."