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Word Prompts: Stripe, pipe, gripe

Because it's technically summer, I don't want to keep Charlie in school all week long. I feel like she should have time off, like other kids, even if preschool at this point is pretty much all fun and games.

"I like school, Mom."

You say that now. "Good! I'm glad. But we don't have to go to school all year round."

"But Mom."

"You know Nessa isn't going back until August, right? And neither is Margot."

"Oh."

We've had various versions of this conversation about twelve times. We end up compromising: she goes back to a part time schedule, and I pull her out at whim if there's something I'd like to do with her.

Her cousins are home now, as well, driving Rose nuts when they're not at day camp. But even that only lasts for a couple of weeks; like me, Em and Rose are loathe to keep their kids in a super structured setting when they could be relaxing.

I mean, isn't that what we did as kids? Relax? I remember endless days of playing at our grandparent's place upstate - the modest (but no less fantastic) lakehouse Grandpa built after retirement. And when we were home in the neighborhood, we ruled. Well, Emmett did. I mostly just tagged along until I was old enough to be cool on my own merit, at which point I made my trouble with my friends.

Despite these nostalgic memories of childhood, and my desire to have Charlie experience some of them, I know times are different now. I'm a single mom, and Charlie's grandparents still work full time, so there are no idyll romps at lake houses. My options for Charlie's summer adventures are limited to play dates with Angela and Nessa and sleepovers at Em and Rose's.

Meanwhile, I'm working full time and Edward trains every day. Most nights he's exhausted, and I can tell he's frustrated at having to work so hard to get back on top, but it's definitely a labor of love for him. It's obvious.

"It's clear tonight. Too bad there's all this light pollution," he says one night, when we're on his balcony. It's the first time we've used his deck chairs. In fact, it's been awhile since we opted for his place at all, mainly because I'm still kind of weird about having Charlie stay here with us.

I just want to take it slowly when it comes to stuff like that.

"Yeah, it is. There are places we can go to see stars, though."

"Out of the city and into the country..."

I smile, taking a sip of my Red Stripe, one of the yummier leftover brews from Edward's party.

"I used to be so obsessed with playing in the World Cup..."

Expecting him to continue, I stay silent. He doesn't say anything, though, and when I look at him he's just gazing at the sky. "You aren't anymore?"

"Yeah. It'll always be a dream, I guess. It's just not as important to me now." He sits up, peering at the view, the far off twinkle of lights. "Don't get me wrong; I'm still all about winning. I just...won't sell my soul for it."

"I get that," I say, after awhile, chewing over his words. "It's good to be balanced, but it's not this crazy pipe dream you've been hanging on to, you know? You've been close before...it could still happen."

"Anything could happen at this point. Depends on my team...who we have playing and how well we play together. If I suck, if I can't get back to where I used to be, they could trade me or just drop me. And if they suck...I'll have to look elsewhere." He runs his hands through his hair, sighing. "I can't think about all that right now though. I'm just going to play. It's harder starting mid-season, but... it's all good."

"For sure. When do we get to come to a game?"

Finishing off his beer, he settles back, hands clasped over his belly. "Two weeks from today,"

"Wow! That's soon!"

"Mid season," he reminds me.

Excitement sparks through me. "You'll get us tickets?"

He makes a face, side eyeing me. "Did you really just ask me that?"

I reach for his hand, squeezing it playfully. "Just making sure."

"I want you at every game. Every one."

"I'll do my best."

Because he'll travel; I know that. As much as we both want it, it won't be possible for me attend every game, so we'll be apart sometimes.

I'm not as nervous as I was before about it, knowing how he feels, but I do know I'll miss him.

Charlie is so pumped to be attending a real soccer game it borders on psychotic. "We're doing the game! We're seein' Edward!" she keeps saying, clapping her hands and kicking her feet.

She's not the only one; Makenna's behind us gushing nonstop to her best friend Tia, who's with us for the day. They weren't too into it before, but apparently now it's a big deal since Makenna's got a famous "uncle".

I'm relieved it isn't just Charlie and me going to the game. It's close by - Century Link Field, near downtown Seattle - but the magnitude of it all is a still overwhelming. And Edward's next game will be in LA. He wants me to go, but I haven't decided yet.

I really want to, though.

"Ow, Charlie," I gripe, rubbing my arm where she keeps jabbing me.

"Look, Mom!" she stage-whispers, pointing to the stadium looming beyond the window. "Loooookkkkk!"

"I'm looking," I laugh, leaning in to see. Dressed in Sounders green and blue, we're packed into Emmett's Tahoe - as close to a minivan as he'll get - figuring it would be more fun to travel together. Easier, too.

We're early, but there's a crowd due to tailgating in the North Lot so Em navigates elsewhere to park. "Haven't been down here in a minute," he mutters, finally finding a spot. We pour out, grab our stuff, and head to the Will Call windows, where Edward's left our tickets.

I can't deny the anticipation bubbling up inside of me. This is the first time I will see him play live - not on TV, not online. Live. It feels like the beginning of an era. I'll always remember this game.

The crowd gets thicker the closer we get. Em reaches for Charlie and I give her over gladly, unable to suppress my nervousness at all of these people around her. He puts her on his shoulders, which she loves and always begs for anyway. It puts an ache in my chest, making me think of her and Edward that way.

She should have someone to do that for her, always.

Tickets in hand, we enter the stadium. Behind me, Rose is reminding Makenna and Tia to stick close, pay attention, stay away from perverts, etc while up ahead, Em starts singing fight songs - football, but whatever - getting Charlie and Embry even more riled up than they already are.

"You realize we have pitch side seating?" Emmett practically squeals. He glances back at me, moving awkwardly with Charlie clinging to his neck. "Your boy-man really came through, Bellaaaaah."

"And this is before he he starts drinking," Rose mutters. I forget, sometimes, that she knew him in college.

"Oh joy," I say, but I don't mind Em's excitement. I'm feeling it too - I haven't been here since I was a kid - twelve, maybe - for a Seahawks game with my Dad. It was a load of fun then, so I can only imagine how amazing today will be...especially with premium seating.

The second we get settled Charlie announces that she needs to pee. Embry does too, so Rose and I take them while Em keeps the girls and orders food. Back at our tables, we find Em posing for selfies with Makenna and Tia and mingling with some of the friendlier patrons. They mention the pre-match activities available nearby so we check them out, letting the kids get their faces painted and play on the bounce houses.

Twenty minutes before the first kick, we hurry back inside - Charlie has to use the bathroom again - and find Em, who's holding down the fort.

"Do you want a beer?" Rose asks as we sit.

"Yeah. You having one?"

"One or two. I'll probably be driving later, so. You know."

"All right; yeah."

And then the announcers ask everyone to stand for the National Anthem.

The game's about to start.

yes; charlie's real name is charlotte. no one calls her that, though, except for bella when she's Really Mad. emmett is/was the only one to call her chuck, b/c it's a nickname for the name charlie in general, but now edward uses it as do em's kids. that's about it. pretty simple really. i always had lots of nicknames growing up and i still do. what about you guys? nicknames? bueller?

thanks for reading ;)

xoxoxoxo