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jadeywadeyy22 · 2 years

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I Can Keep A Secret Sweetheart Pt. 1 (Carli Lloyd x Reader)

A/N: Just a little something for the GOAT's retirement.

Part Two

You’re sitting on your bed reading a book when Carli walks quietly into the room before slipping into bed next you, her head resting on your chest.

“Hey.” you say, pressing your lips against her forehead.

“They go down ok?” you ask, your eyes going back to your book, but you still make sure to listen to your wife.

“Yeah, Leo fell asleep almost immediately, but Leah was adamant that I read her three stories before she went to bed.” Carli says, chuckling to herself when she remembers how she had to negotiate how many stories she would read to her daughter before she went to sleep.

“Three stories? And she stayed up until the end?” you ask, knowing that your daughter had a habit of asking for more than one bedtime story but falling asleep before you could get through the second or third.

“Surprisingly yes.” Carli says.

“She’s probably trying to get as many bedtime stories out of you before you head out to France for the World Cup. She always prefers it when you read to her.” you say.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that.” Carli says, sitting up a little straighter in your arms.

“Ok.” you say, closing your book after bookmarking the page you were reading, and setting it down on the nightstand.

“What if you came with?” Carli asks and you can hear the slight nervousness in her voice.

“You want us to come with you to the World Cup?” you ask skeptically.

You hadn’t been allowed to go to any major tournaments that Carli was playing in because she didn’t want any distractions. She also had a weird superstition that she would lose when family were around because when you went with her in 2007, they lost, but when you weren’t able to go in 2008, they won and she scored two winning goals in the tournament.

The only time you ever watched her live in a major tournament was in the World Cup final in 2015, and she still doesn’t know that you were there.

“Yeah. I want to finally introduce you and the kids to the team, and I want the kids to experience a big tournament with me. I saw how Christie, Boxxy and ARod’s kids enjoyed their time at the tournaments, and I want the kids to be able to say that they went with mommy to a World Cup, and they saw her win.” Carli explains.

“You’re sure about this? You don’t want to take a few days to think about it?” you ask.

You would love to take your kids to France so they can experience the World Cup with their mommy, and you wanted to experience it with your wife, but you also know how stressful and frustrated the world cup could be. Bringing two four-year-old kids who don’t really understand the environment or Carli’s tournament mode may just add to that stress.

You're also worried that Carli might blame herself even more than she normally would if the USWNT lost, because she broke her superstition by bringing you and the kids.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few months now and I really want you to come with. I want to finally show you off to my teammates and show them that I have the most beautiful and amazing wife in the world. I want Leah and Leo to experience having their 22 crazy aunts who will spoil them rotten and just be that other family to them. I don’t know how much longer I have on the team, especially now, so I want the kids to be able to enjoy it and to watch me play, while I’m still allowed to play, even if it’s just as a sub.” Carli says, and you listen intently to what your wife has to say.

You’d never really spoken about being introduced to her team for years now. In the beginning of the relationship, you knew that her coming out like that wasn’t the best thing and you didn’t want to push her too far, you understood that she didn’t want to fully mix her private life with her soccer life that soon into her career.

You only brought it up maybe twice, after the 2012 Olympics and just before the 2015 World Cup, right after your wedding. The first time ended in there being a big fight and you two almost breaking up, but the second time you brought it up you were both a little older and you had a calm conversation where Carli voiced her fears about introducing you to the team and possibly the rest of the world.

You understood where she was coming from so you stopped bringing it up and decided that you would leave it up to Carli to decide when she introduced you to the team.

The only person from the USWNT that knew about you and Carli was of course, Hope Solo, Carli’s best friend and your eventual best friend. She was actually one of Carli’s bridesmaids at the wedding.

“You just know what to say to get a girl swooning don’t you Mrs Lloyd.” you say.

“That’s Mrs Y/L/N-Lloyd to you and quite a few more people when we get to France.” Carli corrects you and you definitely swoon when you hear how she proudly claims your last name along with hers while also confirming that there are others that are going to know about it.

It’s always Carli Lloyd to the world because it’s her professional name and it’s just easier that way so whenever you see or hear your surname next to hers it was always special.

“I love you Carls.” you say, dropping your head to place a chaste kiss against her lips.

“Does that mean you’re coming to France with me?” Carli asks when you separate.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and neither would Leah or Leo.” you say, claiming her lips again before both you get comfortable in the bed.

˳˳˳

The planning for the trip was a bit insane, especially because the World Cup was so soon, but luckily Carli got in touch with the people in charge of the travel of the team and their families, so they practically took over for you, doing all the bookings and getting all the tickets for the matches.

To say that they were extremely surprised when they found out that Carli had been married for so long and that she has two kids is an understatement. They were completely floored at how she managed to keep it a secret for so long.

After the initial shock wore off, they were extremely helpful with sorting out your entire trip, even being able to get you in the same hotels Carli and the team would be in. You weren’t too picky about that because you could always visit Carli, but she was adamant that you be in the same hotel she was in.

˳˳˳˳

“When see mommy?” Leah asks, looking up at you.

“Yeah, when see mommy?” Leo asks, echoing his twin sister.

You’re sitting on a hotel bed with Leah and Leo cuddled into your sides while they watch cartoons while you wait for Carli to let you know when you can bring the twins over.

Today is the day that the team finally meets you and the twins, and the twins are extremely excited.

“Soon you rascals.” you say, laughing at the twin faces looking up at you with pleading eyes.

“But I wanna see her now.” Leah whines, a deep pout on her face.

“I know, I wanna see her too, but we have to wait, she’s busy with her team, we’re going to go and see her soon, I promise.” you say, trying to appease the two pouting children.

“Ok, how about I call her and ask when we can go see her?” you ask and the smiles on their faces tell you all you need to know.

You fish your phone out of your pocket and call Carli, really hoping that she isn’t too busy at the moment.

“Hello?” Carli answers the phone.

“Hey honey, I hope you’re not too busy.” you say.

“No, we’re on a break now, what’s up?” Carli asks.

“Your children are getting impatient and want to see you.” you say and Carli snorts.

“So they’re my children now?” she asks.

“Yes, especially when they become little rascals whining for mommy.” you say, looking at Leah and Leo who are still looking at you with pleading eyes.

“Ok, well, we have another 30 minutes of practice, maybe you guys can come in the next twenty minutes or so?” Carli asks.

“Ok, I’m sure I can keep them occupied until then.” you say.

“Thank you, and I promise that I will make it up to you, and them.” Carli says.

“Ok, love you.”

“I love you too, and tell those rascals I love them too and I’ll see them soon ok?” Carli says and you mutter an “ok”, before hanging up.

“Mommy says she loves you and we can go and see her soon ok?” you say and receive two nods in response.

“We see mommy’s team?” Leo asks a little excitedly.

“Yeah, we’re gonna see mommy’s team at practice.” you say, ruffling Leo’s hair.

It was barely fifteen minutes when you strapd the twins into their car seats in one of the team’s vans that you were allowed to use.

You were going to the training field the team was using. Carli wanted the twins to meet the whole team, and to have some fun with her on the field, so you both decided that going to see her after practice would be the best thing. The twins were absolutely ecstatic to be able to go and see Carli, and maybe play with her.

˳˳˳˳

“Mommy!” Leah screams out when she sees Carli standing off to the closest side of the pitch, talking to a few of her teammates.

Leo’s head lifts up when he hears his sister, and when he sees Carli, he sets off running toward her, Leah right in front of him.

Carli immediately turns around when she hears the voices of two of her favourite people echo across the field. She just smiles before dropping to her knees, waiting until Leo and Leah slam into her, almost taking her down.

You stand up and walk over slowly – keeping a keen eye on the twins in case one falls – to where Carli now has both twins safely in her arms while her teammates look with shock on their faces.

“That kid just said mommy, right?” Megan asks Ashlyn and Tobin.

“I definitely heard mommy.” Ashlyn says and Tobin nods her head.

“We missed you.” Leah says as Carli stands up with both kids in her arms, her muscles flexing in her training tank top.

The power in those arms never failed to make you swoon especially when you remembered nights on the couch when Carli would carry you to bed or nights when the two of you had the house to yourselves and Carli wanted to show you just how much she loves or missed you.

“I missed both of you too.” Carli says, kissing both their foreheads.

When she brings her head up and finds you standing a little off to the side, Carli smiles before walking over to you. The rest of the team, and some of the staff, watch on quietly, trying to figure out where you fall in the equation.

“Show off.” you say to Carli, nodding at the twins in her arms.

“Don’t be jealous, there’s still some room for you in my arms.” Carli says, stepping forward but as she does so, Leo quickly jumps into your arms.

He always preferred being in your arms and it irked Carli because she named him after one of her idols, but he liked you more.

“Traitor.” Carli says teasingly as she narrows her eyes playfully at Leo who just smiles before hiding his face in your neck

“Uhm, sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but… what the hell is going on here?” Megan asks eyes shifting from Carli with Leah in her arms and you with Leo in your arms.

“Yeah, what the hell is going on?” Ashlyn says. She was sure this was a private practice, not an open one.

“Uhm, well guys, I’d like you to meet my family.” Carli says with a smile.

“I think you’re gonna need to give them more than that princess.” you say when you notice the still confused looks on her teammates faces, although, most of them really just looked exhausted from their training session.

“Yeah, a lot more.” Megan says. She has an idea, but she needs Carli to confirm it.

“Fine.” Carli says. She enjoyed seeing her teammates try to figure it all out. It wasn’t very often she was able to stump them anymore.

“This little princess in my arms is Leah and Mr Shy Guy over there is Leo. These are my two amazing kids and this beautiful woman standing next to me is my wife of four years, Y/N who I've been with since high school. Before you ask, no, I don’t know how she’s managed to stay with me for so long.” Carli says, and all her teammates’ eyes go wide.

“Wait… WHAT?!” Megan exclaims.

“You have a WIFE!” Kelley exclaims not even a second later, rushing over with Sonnet following behind her.

“Momma, why they screaming?” Leo asks from his place in your arms.

“Yeah, they loud.” Leah adds from her place in Carli’s arms and your wife throws her head back in laughter, you giggling too at the looks on Megan and Kelley’s faces.

“I know sweetie. You should tell them they need to be a little quieter.” Carli says to your daughter, a mischievous smirk on her face because she knows full well that Leah has absolutely no filter.

“You can’t be loud, you need to be quiet, like a good girl.” she says sassily, looking at Carli’s teammates dead on. That gets you laughing, and most of Carli’s teammates too.

“That’s all you.” you say to Carli who just looks at you and shrugs.

“I love this kid.” Ashlyn says, giggling at the looks of pure shock on Kelley and Megan’s faces after their ‘admonishment’.

“I have no words right now.” Kelley says, still reeling from the news that Carli is married with two kids and from having a child tell her to be quiet.

“I have so many questions.” Megan says and a lot of Carli’s teammates nod their heads in agreement.

“I’ll answer all of them later. I believe I promised my kids some fun with mommy.” Carli says, jostling Leah slightly in her arms as the little girl squeals excitedly.

“Hey Leo, you gonna come and play with me?” Carli asks, turning around to face you and your son.

Leo’s head immediately starts going up and down, like a bobblehead, as he scrambles out of your arms to join Carli and Leah with the ball on the field, a few of Carli’s teammates also trying to join in.

“So, you’re finally telling everybody?” Dawn asks, coming to stand next to you.

She was really the only person on the coaching staff that Carli told about you, and that was only because you had to be in charge of her recovery from a few injuries. Sometimes you were also in charge of Hope’s recovery from injury. Dawn was just glad she had someone else to help manage the two stubborn women.

“Yeah. Carli wants the kids to know the team and experience all the glitz and glam that comes with it.” you reply, watching as Carli runs around with the twins, the ball at her feet as the two try to steal the ball away from her feet.

“I didn’t think she’d actually do it.” Dawn says, impressed that Carli actually wanted to do this of her own volition.

“Me neither. I still pinch myself trying to make sure this isn’t a dream.” you joke, both you and Dawn giggling.

“Mommy, come help us.” Leo calls out as he and Leah try to get the ball from Carli who switches it between her feet, laughing as Leah tries to steal the ball from her feet.

“I’m coming.” you call out, excusing yourself from Dawn before going after Carli to try and get the ball away from her.

“Has anyone ever seen her this smiley and carefree?” Megan asks, nodding over to where Carli has her head thrown back in laughter while you have your hands wrapped around her waist, keeping her off the ball so Leah and Leo can steal it from her feet.

“No.” Alex says.

“I never even thought I’d see her as a mom. It’s like the twilight zone.” Kelley adds in, watching as Carli chases the twins, grabbing Leo from behind and lifting him up her arms.

“You have to admit, it looks like she’s a pretty amazing mom.” Becky says and everyone nods along, watching as Carli plays with you and twins.

˳˳˳˳

“So, can you please explain all of this, because I’m still pretty confused.” Megan says.

It was after training and the team decided to go out for dinner at one of the restaurants you suggested to Carli after you ate there on your first day in France. You were surprised her team were able to let you get through actually ordering food before they asked questions.

“What do you want to know?” Carli asks.

“Why haven’t we met your family before now? It seems like you guys have been together forever.” Ali asks.

“For most of our relationship I was scared about coming out and people knowing about me and Y/N and eventually the twins. Back then it wasn’t easy being open like we can be now, and I didn’t want any of the drama that would come with it. I think I just got comfortable with the way things were that I didn’t real think of having a big introduction until recently.” Carli explains.

“I was honestly certain that I would never meet any of you before she retires.” you pipe in and almost everyone bursts out laughing.

“Hey!”

“Honey, let’s not lie to ourselves.” you say and everyone’s laughter gets louder at the pout on Carli’s face.

“So, why now?” Kelley asks.

“I wanted our kids to enjoy going to a World Cup and seeing mommy play and win. I also wanted to have my beautiful wife with me in the family section cheering me on. She’s never seen me win, so I kinda wanna show off and have her be part of all the celebration.”

“Wait! You’ve never seen Carli win anything? Gold medals? World Cup?” Megan asks, genuinely shocked.

She knows Carli didn’t allow family and friends, but she figured that probably had more to do with her being estranged from her family than anything else.

“Uhm…”

“Uhm?” Carli asks, turning around to face you.

“I managed to sneak in to watch the 2015 final.” you confess, glancing over nervously at Carli.

��What?! You were in Canada?” Carli asks.

“Yeah. It was only for the final, I wanted to support you and I was pregnant, so the kids were technically there too.” you answer.

“How did you even…”

“Hope and Dawn set everything up.” you confess.

“I can’t believe it. How did I not know about this?” Carli asks, genuinely confused as to how she never heard about you being at the final. How the hell did you keep that a secret from her for four years?

“I can keep a secret sweetheart.” you say placing a quick kiss against Carli’s cheek.

“You guys are so cute together. I didn’t think Carli had it in her.” Kelley says from her spot opposite you.

She knows Carli can be a loving person who cares about others and treats everyone on the team like family, but to see her with her actual family and to see the normally stoic leader be so relaxed and calm with you was refreshing. It was like Carli became a brighter and happier Carli with you and the twins around. She was also a lot sweeter.

“Oh, I didn’t think she did either, but she keeps surprising me.” you say with a soft smile.

Carli brings her arm up and drapes it over your shoulders, bringing you closer so she can press her lips against yours.

“I love you.” Carli whispers lovingly against your lips, love shining clearly in her eyes.

“I love you too.” you say before stealing a quick kiss and returning to answer more of Carli’s teammates questions.

#carli lloyd #carli lloyd x reader #carli lloyd imagine #carli lloyd imagines #uswnt imagine #uswnt imagines #woso imagines #thank you carli

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