Chapter Nine:
"Go Larry!" Sam shouted. They knew Larry was good but he was playing exceptionally today. His team had won their first two games, drawn one and were winning their final game. If they won they'd progress to the final where they'd play the winner of the other group. Larry hadn't scored yet but had assisted four of the six goals his team had scored in their three games. Quinn and Sam watched with pride as their son ran from end to end having the time of his life playing a game he loved. This is the reason they wanted to become parents they both thought. The referee blew for full time and the small crowd cheered. Larry's team had won their group; they had one game to go!
"I hope he scores, it would make his day perfect" Quinn said.
"I never told you what he said did I?" Sam asked.
"What about?"
"He said if he scored today it was going to be dedicated to Kurt and Blaine because he really wanted them to be here."
"Awww!" The four of them chorused.
"You do have the cutest son ever, it's official" Kurt said
"I'm so proud to be here watching him" Blaine added.
"He's the best godson the three of us could have asked for." Mercedes gushed.
"We know, we're just so proud of him" Sam told them.
"I speak for all three of us when I thank you for giving us the honour of being his godparents." Kurt said.
"I couldn't agree more" Mercedes added, "It's an honour."
"Guys, we've been through this before. You three will always be special to our family and we couldn't imagine better people to support Larry whenever he needs it." Quinn said
"I agree, don't ever thank us. We should be the ones thanking you" Sam added.
"Here he comes" Quinn informed them. "Hey buddy!"
"You're playing terrifically" Sam told him. They could all sense Larry was disappointed.
"What's up Larry?" Kurt asked.
"Nothing, I just want to sit here and relax."
"Larry, you're seven, since when do you need to relax?" Sam laughed. Larry sat down in silence, they all watched him closely. "I don't like playing when Chuck's captain." He finally conceded.
"Your team is playing fantastically though. You have one game left, go out there and show Chuck you'd make a better leader." Sam told him.
"How Dad?"
"Play with your heart on your sleeve and your head held high. Show everyone how much this means to you." Sam replied. Blaine stepped away from them and sat down on the grass next to Larry. Larry turned to face him. "Larry, when I'm in New York performing either on Broadway or in a small concert, you know who I perform for?" Larry shook his head. "I perform for Uncle Kurt and for you, because no matter how big or how small the audience, or how important it is I show everyone how much you both mean to me. The harder the note, the more energy it takes. The more passion it requires, I turn to you and to Uncle Kurt for that passion. That's exactly what you need to do, you need to go onto that pitch and show everyone how much this means to you." Blaine finished, he reached out to Larry and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you." Larry whispered.
"You're welcome." Blaine whispered back.
"Are you ok now Larry?" Quinn asked. "You don't have to go back over there. You can just watch with us." She told him.
"I can't. I have to play. I'm going out there to play for you all." He said looking up at them.
"You're sure?" She asked.
"Yes." He simply replied.
He ran back to join his team as Quinn turned to Blaine. "Thanks Blaine. He really needed that. That's the exact reason we chose you to be his godfather. You're going to make a great father one day."
"Thanks Quinn, but I was only telling the truth." Blaine blushed. The five of them stood side by side in awe of how composed Larry looked standing next to his team.
The referee signalled the start of the game. The two teams lined up for pictures and then made their way into position. Larry waved over at his family who all cheered and waved back. "He looks so grown up" Blaine said.
"That shirt is going to be worth a lot of money in the future. Make sure you keep hold of it!" Kurt joked. "He's going to be a star." He added.
"He already is a star!" Blaine pointed out. "Not many seven year olds have the confidence or ability to realise and state that they feel something's not right. Most kids just let it slide." He told them. "Oh look they're kicking off." He finished.
Larry was on fire, his passes were perfect and tackles well timed. The team went one-nil down after five minutes but their heads didn't drop. Disaster struck in the tenth minute just before half time. Chuck was running with the ball and just before he could pass, a member of the opposition slid in and tripped him Chuck couldn't get to his feet, his parents ran on with the medics and helped him off the field. "Larry, Chuck's not going to be able to play anymore, can you move over into the centre and take over as captain?"
"Errr... Sure!" It took a minute or two for Quinn and Sam to realise what had happened, they were too busy watching to see if Chuck was ok. "Larry's moved to centre midfield." Sam said finally noticing.
"What's that on his arm?" Mercedes asked. Sam and Quinn were dumbstruck.
"Quinn? Sam? Guys, you know this game better than us." Kurt said.
"He's...been made...-" Quinn couldn't get the words out.
"...captain. Larry's been made captain!" Sam finally uttered. "Our little boy has his moment." Sam said, he could feel the tears filling in his eyes. He looked at Quinn who had a tear sliding down her face. He pulled her close as they watched their son overcome with pride and emotion.
The referee signalled for the end of the first half. The score was still one-nil, they had a task ahead of them. Quinn, Sam, Kurt, Blaine and Mercedes watched as the teams huddled together and listened to Coach Riley's instructions. As halftime drew to a close and the teams returned to the field, Larry waved over at them. The referee blew the whistle and got the second half underway. Again, Larry was in control of the game and of his team. All Quinn and Sam secretly wanted now was for him to score. Five minutes passed and nothing, neither team had scored or even came close to scoring. Out of nowhere Larry crossed the ball into the penalty area and found the head of John who scored! They all cheered as the scores became level. "YESS!" Blaine cheered.
"Come on! We need one more!" Larry shouted at his team. "Watch your passes, guys!"
The final few minutes of the game seemed to take forever. Quinn and Sam were so focused on watching Larry's every move that they didn't hear a word that was spoken to them. "One minute left! We've come this far!" Larry said. He suddenly realised who he sounded like. "We've come this far, win or lose, we've had fun. We're in it together! Give it all you've got but remember it's the taking part that counts." He shouted trying to encourage his teammates. He felt much better now he was speaking from his heart. Quinn felt another tear roll down her face as Sam pulled her tighter. "Hear that? He sounded just like you then." Sam whispered. Quinn couldn't speak, her throat was too tight. "No, he sounded like both of us." She finally uttered.
"Go on Larry!" Quinn shouted. Larry ran forward into the penalty area as Edward crossed the ball in. Larry got ahead of his marked and met the ball in the air. He headed it direct to goal. Sam and Quinn watched with their hearts in their mouths. The ball took an age to reach the goal line. The goalkeeper dived to his left and ball just slipped between his hands and rattled the net. Larry had scored! "YESS!" Everyone screamed. Sam and Quinn were screaming and hugging each other tightly. Kurt, Blaine and Mercedes were jumping up and down. Larry was celebrating with his team but caught the eye of his parents and godparents, he pointed at them and placed a hand on his heart before returning to position ready for kick off. "Well done team, we deserve this!" He shouted.
No sooner had the referee blown for the teams to kick off then he'd blown to conclude the game. They had won! Larry had captained his team to victory. Larry had scored the winner to lead his team to victory. Quinn and Sam ran across and hugged him tightly. "We're so proud of you!" Quinn exclaimed. "You did it Larry!" Sam shouted.
"No, the team did it!" Larry told them. Kurt, Blaine and Mercedes made their way over to share their joy and congratulations. They watched as Larry and Chuck hoisted the trophy into the air. Quinn and Sam had never felt more proud than they did at this moment. All their problems and cares had gone, they were so proud and full of love that everything seemed so small.