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scribblesofagoonerr · 7 months ago

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little lioness | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

summary: buddy get's to be leah's mascot for the game against the usa.

double the trouble masterlist

also, heads up in advance before you read this... it's 11k long, so it's a long one, i got a bit carried away writing it

"We're here! We're here! We gon' see Mummy and Monks'!" Your excitement is infectious as you impatiently stand outside Wembley stadium with Amanda, Berny and Jacob.

You're dressed head-to-toe in your own mini England kit that has Williamson proudly printed on the back of it, along with a new pair of trainers that Jordan brought you during the week that has the cool trick of them lighting up as you walk.

"Someones' excited, aren't you?" Jacob teases.

"We gon' go in now?" You let out an impatient huff, not liking the idea of having to wait any longer than you already are having to do so.

"Soon, sweetheart. We just need to wait for everyone else to arrive," Amanda explains to you as she crouches down to your level, "Let's put your coat on now, shall we? It's getting cold isn't it."

You're definitely not a fan of being forced to wear your coat, not one bit.

Amanda's suggestion is more of a non-negotiable one unfortunately as she bundles you up in it, "You need to stay warm, sweetheart." She insists.

"Don' like it," Your overall enthusiasm is dampened by the fact you're being forced to wear it, "Wan' it off!" You pout dramatically, and attempt to tug at the sleeves of it.

"It needs to stay on," Amanda tells you in a tone of voice that is both gentle but firm as well, "You'll be able to take it off when you walk out onto the pitch."

"Wan' it off now," Your little face scrunches up in displeasure, as you continue to fight against the idea of wearing it, "Please, Nana. Off now."

"Darling, you have to keep your coat on," Berny tries to reason with you, "You don't want to get poorly before Santa visits, do you?"

"No," You murmur, you don't like the idea of being poorly when Santa does pay a visit but you really don't like wearing your coat either, "I don' like it, Gan'ma!"

However, it's clear that your protests are doing little to convince anyone.

"I'm sure you'll cope, munchkin," Jacob says, a smirk plastered on his face as he proceeds to playfully pull the hood over your head, "Can you still see?"

"Uncle J! Can' see now!" You whine while scowling at the older lad, who is still laughing about it, "Nana! Tell Uncle J off, he's bein' a meanie!"

"Oh is he? What's he like, eh?" Amanda chuckles, shaking her head as she gives Jacob a certain look, "Don't wind her up."

"Thank 'ou," You nod, satisfied with that before you decide to stick your tongue out at him, "Ou' gotta listen to Nana, Uncle J!"

Jacob holds both his hands up in mock surrender, "Alright, alright. I guess I have no choice now, do I?" He jokes.

"No! Ou' gotta listen and be nice!" You insist while you give him a glare that is scarily identical to Leah's, but it's never reserved for you, only Monkey when she's causing trouble as it's been said in the past.

Your favourite person gets into a lot of trouble, though, so she's always getting the glare.

"Oh, here they are!" Berny exclaims, gesturing to the group of people that are nearing you, your aunts, uncles and cousins all donned out in their own England shirts and scarves.

"Sorry, the traffic on the road was manic," One of your aunties explains, while they all exchange hugs with one another.

"Holly! Holly!" You squeal, excitedly racing towards the older girl and instantly latching your small arms around her legs, "We gon' see Mummy and Monkey!"

"Hi, Buddy!" Holly smiles, hoisting you up into her arms and adjusting you so you're sitting comfortably on her hip, "I know. Are you excited?"

"Yes!" You nod in triumph, not lasting long in her arms before you're wriggling and trying to get back down, only to run to your older cousin, Ben, who is chatting away to Jacob, "Ben!"

"Hiya, cheeky chops," The lad grins and ruffles your hair, "Wow, don't you look cool in your England kit, eh? Ready to walk out on the pitch?"

"Uh huh. I'm 'cited for it!" You tell them, practically vibrating with excitement as you bounce between all of the older adults all in the middle of their own conversations, "We go now?"

"Come on little miss impatient," Amanda chuckles, extending her hand out for you to take before you begin the climb up the steps to get to the stadium.

"I not impatient, Nana!" You insist, clutching a tight hold of her hand, though you're about half way there when you get fed up of walking, "I don' want to walk no more."

"Oh I guess one of us will just have to carry you, huh?" Jacob jokes, leaning down and scooping you up into his arms, "Uncle J to the rescue!"

"Thank 'ou, Uncle J!" You murmur, wrapping your arms around his neck while resting your head on his shoulder.

"You're welcome, munchkin," Jacob retorts, carrying you up the rest of the steps.

You continue to snuggle against him, relieved to be off the ground as you suddenly spot a large blown up picture of Leah hanging directly above your head, "Look, look, there's my Mummy!" You stretch your little fingers to gesture towards it.

"Oh yeah, so it is!" Berny smiles at your general excitement, "It won't be long until you can see her for real now, darling."

"Yeah!" The mention of that instantly lifts your mood, considering you haven't seen Leah nor Monkey since the start of the week - You had spent the majority of the week with Jordan, and now you'll finally be able to see them again, "And Monks' as well!"

"And Monks, of course," Amanda nods, listening to your animated chatter, "I bet your big sister will be so happy to see you again, won't she?"

"Uh huh! I 'cited to see her!" You exclaim, happy about the chance to see your favourite person soon enough.

You make it all the way to the top of the steps with Jacob holding you in his arms, and your eyes are wide as you take in the large crowd of fans all dressed in England shirts, hats and scarves.

Although, there's some that are wearing a badge that you don't recognise, and you're confused who they are.

"Bit busy, ain't it?" Ben questions aloud.

"Only a bit," Jacob chuckles, while keeping a tight hold of you so you don't fall, "Isn't this game meant to be sold out?"

"I think so," Holly chimes in after a few seconds, "It'll be better when we're inside and able to sit down." She adds.

You pass through a brief check in with security before you all head to the friends and family section of Wembley.

“Think I'll head to the bar to grab a drink,” Ben brings up the idea, spotting the bar.

"Me wan' a drink as well!" You pipe up in the conversation, lifting your head from Jacob's shoulder.

"Oh you, do you?" Ben grins at you, "Well I can do you a fruit shoot, or orange juice, or apple juice. What do you fancy?" He asks.

You ponder the question for a few seconds, resting your little finger on your chin and tap it, "Fruit shoot, please!"

"You got it, cheeky chops!" The older lad nods in agreement, "One fruit shoot, coming right up!"

"Nana! Nana!" You shout aloud, trying to get her attention while she has a conversation with a member of the family, "Bens' getting me a fruit shoot!" You tell her like it's the best news you've received all day.

Amanda turns and gasps in mock excitement, "Is he? Wow! Aren't you a lucky girl!" She retorts, "Remember to tell him thank you."

"Thank 'ou Ben!" You tell the older lad, who just chuckles and ruffles your hair much to your displeasure, "Hey! Don' touch my hair. It get ruined!"

Ben held his hands up in mock-surrender, "Sorry, cheeky chops."

"So 'ou should be!" You scowl at him and attempt to be intimidating, "Don' touch it again, or you'll be in trouble!"

"Alright, I won't touch it again," Ben agrees, trying to stifle his laughter, "I'll go and get you that drink now, shall I?" He doesn't wait for your reply, before starting to dip off in the direction of the bar.

"I'll come with you, just give me a second," Jacob tells Ben, gently plonking you back down on the floor, "Down you go, munchkin." You're not happy about being put down, but at least you can run around without getting lost now.

And then you remember you're still wearing your coat, which you're not happy about.

"Nana," You whine and tug on Amanda's hand to get her attention, pulling her from her conversation with another lady, who you vaguely recognise as Keira's mum, Tracy, "Nana, coat off now, please."

"Hello there, Buddy!" Tracy greets you in a friendly tone of voice, "Are you excited to be here, and watch the match?"

"Uh huh! I walk out on the pitch with Mummy!" You tell her, nodding your head a little bit, wriggling to try and get free from the horrible coat, "Off, Nana!" You insist.

Amanda chuckles, crouching down to undo the zip on your coat, "Is that better now, huh?" She asks, taking your coat and holding it in her arms, "Let Nana know when you get cold again, please, okay?"

"I no cold, it' okay!" You insist, twirling around in a circle a few times, "When can I gets' to see Mummy?"

"Sooner than you think, bubba," You instantly recognise the familiar voice straight away and spin around, your eyes are wide and you don't waste a single second to dart straight for you.

"Here she is," Amanda chuckles, watching you as you get even more excited, "See? I told you that you would see her soon, didn't I?"

"Mummy!" You're vibrating with excitement as Leah leans down and scoops you up into her arms, "'Ou're 'ere! I missed 'ou so much!"

"Oh, I've missed you as well, bubba," Leah squeezes you tightly as she holds you in her arms, reluctant to let go of you considering it's been a whole week since she's seen you, "Have you had a good time staying at Mama's house?"

"Uh huh! Lots' of fun!" You insist as you nod your head in agreement, before you gasp when you look at her, "Mummy! I look just like 'ou! See?" You’re almost identical, both in England kits as you point to the crest on your own kit.

Leah gasps playfully in realisation, "Wow, so you do! You're my very own little mascot! You just need my captain’s armband, and then you’ll look exactly like me, won't you?" She bounces you in her arms, which makes you burst into a fit of giggles. "Are you excited to walk out onto the pitch with me?"

You nod in agreement, "I 'cited for it, Mummy!" Even though you might only be three years old, you’ve had the fortunate luck of being able to be a mascot on several different occasions - for Leah, Jordan and even your favourite person, Monkey.

Today was special though, at least so you had been told that - England were playing at home at Wembley Stadium.

"Good, I'm glad," Leah smiles and moves a stray strand of hair out of your face, "It's going to be very loud out there with lots of flashing lights and things, but Mummy can hold you in her arms if you want?"

"That' okay, I want to walk!" You insist, your fingers fumbling with the necklace that she has around her neck that has your birthstone in it, "We see Monks' as well?"

"Of course, she's been driving me insane about when she's going to see you," Leah dramatically exaggerates, "And I have a surprise for you as well, bubba." She states, looking over you to smile at Amanda, like they're having a private conversation between the two of them.

Little did you know that Leah had arranged to have you spend the rest of camp with her and Monkey, so instead of going home after the match with Amanda, Jacob and Berny like you thought, instead you would be travelling back to St. George’s park with Leah, Monkey and the rest of the Lionesses.

You were of course unaware of the fact that Leah had been struggling without you around, and with the date looming of what would have been the birth date of the baby her and Jordan were expecting before you came along, times were increasingly hard and emotional right now, and with special permission from Sarina, you would be allowed to join them.

You gasp in excitement, your eyes wide, "A 'prise? What is it?" You question, keen to know.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I were to tell you already, would it?" Leah jokes, tickling your sides' where she knows you're the most ticklish, "You'll have to wait and see until after the game, okay?"

"Okay," You pout, not liking the idea of having to wait all that long.

"It's only a bit longer," Leah playfully pokes your nose to get a smile out of you, "You can wait to find out then, can't you?"

"I 'spose so," You reluctantly agree with her, though you still wish that you can know sooner, "Look, Nana. Mummy's here!" You tell the older woman, excitedly, as if she doesn't already know she's here, with you all.

"I know, sweetheart," Amanda smiles, handing your coat over to Leah to take, "Hi bubba." She greets Leah, exchanging a hug with you still settled in her arms, because you refuse to be away from her right now.

"Hey, look who it is!" Ben speaks aloud, walking back through with drinks in his hand, "Here's your fruit shoot I promised, cheeky chops."

"Fruit shoot!" You squeal in excitement, happily taking the bottle from the older lad and proceed to attempt to open it with your teeth, "Mummy, ‘elp please!" You demand, pouting that you can't get it open.

"Wow, you got a fruit shoot? Aren't you lucky," Leah gasps playfully, helping you take off the lid when she sees you're struggling with it, "Here, bubba. Did you say thank you?" She asks.

"Thank 'ou Ben!" You exclaim gleefully, happy enough to have a purple fruit shoot now as you take a big gulp of it, "Uncle J! Look, Mummy's here, see?"

Jacob chuckles, "I can see, munchkin," He pauses, exchanging a brief hug with Leah, "Hey, sis. Did Mum tell you that she woke me up at 5 this morning? Why do kids' wake up that early? It's bizarre, I like to sleep and well, your child definitely did not want to do that."

"Be grateful that you only have to deal with it once in a while," Leah retorts, patting Jacob on the shoulder, "You learn that once you have a child then sleep goes out of the window, entirely."

"Yeah, Le, I love my niece and all, but well, I really also love sleep," Jacob insists while leaning over to ruffle your hair playfully, "No offence, munchkin."

"Stop, Uncle J!" You grumble, batting his hands away while scowling at him before you rest your head on Leah's shoulder.

"You're so easy to wind up sometimes," Jacob teases, finding the whole situation amusing to himself.

"J, please stop winding her up," Leah tells her brother in a serious tone of voice, "Honestly, you're as bad as Monkey sometimes, I swear."

"Hey! Where is Monks'?" Jacob questions eagerly, looking around for your favourite person, "You didn't bring her up here, with you? Well, that's just no fun now, is it?"

Leah snorts in response, "Yeah, I had the right idea to not do that because you pair are a nightmare together. She's with the rest of the girls," She pauses, "Right, bubba, shall me, you and Holly head down and join them?"

You lift your head from Leah's shoulder and nod, "Yes! We go and find Monks' now?"

"Yeah, we're going to see her now," Leah ressaures you with a soft chuckle, adjusting you on her hip as she nods goodbye to the rest of the family, "You lot enjoy yourselves. I'll see you after the game!"

"Good luck, bubba!" Amanda calls after Leah with a proud smile, waving at you both, "We'll be cheering you on from up here!"

"I be back in a bit!" You wave at them all, excitedly.

“Have fun, munchkin!” Jacob exclaims, taking a sip of his drink.

Leah flashes Amanda a grin before turning her attention back to you, "Alright, lets' go find your big sister. She's been pestering me all day about when she gets to see you."

"Monks' missed me?" Your eyes light up with excitement at the thought.

"Of course she did! She's been telling everyone that you're the best mascot ever," Leah replies, her tone playful but affectionate, "Although, she did say she's the best big sister in the world too, along with other things' but she is very excited to see you, bubba!"

“Le! Thank God you’re back– There’s my favourite niece!” Keira exclaims, rounding the corner as she spots you all, with you in Leah’s arms and gets distracted from what she was going to say, “Hi Buddy!”

“Auntie Kei!” You lean towards her, reaching out for a cuddle with her after not seeing her in many months since she lives over in Spain now.

Keira eagerly takes you out of Leah’s arms, “I missed you. I have something for you!”

“I wan’ it! What is it?” Your curiosity is piqued now and you want to know.

“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?” Keira teases as she playfully pokes your nose.

“What’s going on, Kei?” Leah arches her eyebrow in confusion.

“Oh, yeah!” Keira suddenly remembers what she meant to tell Leah, “Take a look yourself…” She murmurs with a nod of her head inside the dressing room, her attention completely on you now.

Leah continues to look bewildered as she pushes the door of the dressing room open to find Monkey and Grace in the middle of a heated debate, “What’s going on?”

“Le!” Your favourite person turns her attention to Leah, “Le, you have to back me up here– Buddy! You’re finally here!” Her attention goes straight to you, rushing over and taking you from Keira without any hesitation.

“Monks’!” You squeal, excited to finally be able to see her after almost a week.

“Menace, why aren’t you ready?” Leah already looks ready to pop a vein as she pinches the bridge of her nose, “We need to go and warm up!”

“Yeah, but Le, ‘ere, you need to listen to this first!” Monkey insists as you wrap your arms around her neck and rest your head on her shoulder, “Clinton cards ‘ere reckons that she can beat me in an arm wrestle, but that ain’t right, is it?” She rambles.

“What?” Leah questions in disbelief.

“I reckon I could do,” Grace states confidently as she gasps in a playful manner as she realises you’re here, “Hi Buddy! How’re you?” She questions, patting you on the head.

“Mate, she’s not a dog,” Monkey quips.

You like Grace and you find her somewhat funny, though you’re glad that she doesn’t play for yucky Spurs anymore.

“Yeah, I not a dog!” You parrot, sticking your tongue out at the older girl from the comfort of your big sister's arms.

Monkey chuckles, “You tell her, Buddy!”

“I would love to see an arm wrestle between you and Grace,” Georgia chimes in, coming over after she’s finished tying her laces, “Hi, tiny!”

“Auntie G!” You realise who it is and lean towards her for a cuddle with the girl, “Monks’ down now! I wan’ Auntie G!”

“What? Traitor,” Monkey huffs, begrudgingly placing you down on the floor so you can toddle over to Georgia, who scoops you up into her arms, “So, Le, whatcha reckon, I could definitely beat her, right?”

Leah pinches the bridge of her nose and exhales a sigh, “Monkey, get ready!” She tells her in a firm tone of voice, “Honestly, I left you alone for what, ten minutes? Stop messing about, now.”

“Oooh. You’re in trouble now,” Grace takes the opportunity to wind Monkey up, smirking in amusement, “Better listen to your Mum now, eh?”

“Shut up,” Monkey grumbles while slouching her shoulders, “Come on Le, help me out here, will you?”

Leah clicks her tongue and crosses her arms over her chest, “Get ready. Now."

“Urgh, such a buzzkill sometimes,” Monkey mutters to herself as she walks back over to her stuff on the bench and proceeds to get ready, “Told you we should’ve been quicker.”

“Monks’ in trouble with Mummy,” You tell Georgia knowingly.

Georgia chuckles in response, “I think she might be. What’s she like, eh?”

“A menace to society,” Leah mumbles, turning her attention back to you again, “Right, bubba, Mummy needs to go and warm up on the pitch now. You’re going to stay with Holly until I come back, alright?”

“Nooo!” You whine, reaching out to be back in her arms again because you don’t want to be too far away from her, “Me wan’ stay with ou'!”

“I know you do, but I can’t let you come on the pitch while we warm up, can I?” Leah chuckles, moving to tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “You’ll have fun with Holly, and I’ll be back before you know it. I promise.”

You still don’t like that answer though, “No, wan’ stay with ou'!”

“Bubba, Mummy has to go out on the pitch and it’s not safe for you to be on there right now,” Leah explains to you in a gentle tone of voice, “You might get hurt and we don’t want that, do we? If you stay with Holly then you’ll be safe.”

You rest your head on her shoulder as you nod, “I come watch ‘ou warm up?” You ask, though it sounds muffled since you have your fingers in your mouth.

“Okay. You can from the safety of the sidelines,” Leah agrees, gently taking your fingers out of your mouth, “Don’t put your fingers in your mouth, bubba. Yucky germs, remember?” She reminds you, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Nooo! Me be on da pitch with ou'!” You still can’t grasp the idea of not being able to be there at the same time, “No sidelines, Mummy!”

Leah exhales a sigh, shaking her head in disagreement, “You can’t, Buddy. You can watch from the sidelines though, okay? You’ll still be able to see me just the same.” She tells you.

You scrunch your face up, “No, me wan’ be on da pitch! No sidelines!”

“Okay, let's take a minute to calm down,” Leah recognises the tell-tale signs of a brewing tantrum and steps to the side with you away from the rest of the girls, placing you down on the floor as she crouches to your level, “Listen to Mummy, bubba. I know you want to be on the pitch, but it’s really not safe when there’ll be a lot going on there, okay?”

“No!” You stomp your foot in disagreement and cross your arms over your chest, “Me no like ou'!”

“You don’t?” Leah feigns her hurt, clutching her hand over her heart, “When you say things like that, they really hurt Mummy’s feelings. You don’t mean that, do you?”

You continue to stand there in a grump, “I do! Ou' mean for not lettin’ me go on pitch!”

“Oh,” Leah murmurs, feeling hurt from your sudden rejection, “Well that’s okay, Mummy is just trying to keep you safe, bubba, because I love you very much and it would upset me if you did get hurt,” She adds.

“Me no like ou' anymore! Ou' mean Mummy!” You exclaim, not understanding that your words were really making such a big impact at the moment, “Me no like ‘ou!” You repeat.

“Buddy, that’s not very nice to say to your Mummy,” Keira wanders over and hears the conversation, crouching down to your level, “Your Mummy loves you so much, she’s just trying to keep you safe and not let you get hurt, because then you’d be upset if that happened, wouldn’t you?”

“She is mean! She won’ let me on pitch!” You insist, stomping your feet again for good measure, “I don’ like her no more!” You repeat.

“I’m sure you don’t mean that,” Keira frowns, glancing at Leah who looks almost close to tears at your harsh words, “You're upsetting your Mummy when you say things like that, Tiny. I’m sure you don’t want your Mummy to cry, do you?”

You think about what Keira has said for a few seconds before shaking your head, “No…”

“I know you don’t,” Keira nods in agreement, “I have something for you, but before I do, I need you to say sorry to your Mummy because it’s not kind to say things like that, is it?”

“No, I don’ mean it,” You tell her as you turn back around to face Leah, “I sorry Mummy! I didn’ mean it! I love ou'!” You exclaim, wrapping your small arms around her legs and peering up at her with an innocent face.

Leah smiles faintly as she crouches down to be at your level and wrap her arms around your small frame, “It’s okay, bubba,” She pauses, “I know you might be upset with Mummy, but I only ever say no to things because I love you and I want to protect you.”

“I no mean to make ou' cry,” You mumble as you observe the faint tear that rolls down Leah’s cheek, “Don’ cry, Mummy. Don’ be sad!”

Leah continues to hold you close to her as she moves a hand to wipe the stray tear away, “I’m not sad, bubba. I promise,” She tells you, “Mummy just loves you so much, you know? You’re my rainbow after the storm.”

“Don’ be sad Mummy. It’ be okay!” You tell her, moving your own hand to wipe her tears away, “I love ou' lots!”

You don’t really understand what Leah meant, but you know that she’s sad and that means an extra special hug with her.

“Right then,” Leah speaks up after a few seconds, “I think Auntie Kei has something special for you, doesn’t she? Do you want to see what it is?”

“I wan’ see it!” You exclaim, excited at the mention of getting to see what Keira has got for you, “What is it, Auntie Kei?”

“Come over here with me and have a look then,” Keira motions you over to where she has moved to stand with something hidden behind her back, “It’s something special I think you’re gonna like.”

You scrunch your face up in confusion, “What is it?”

“Ta-Da!” Keira pulls a small ball from out behind her back with a small red and blue ball with the England emblem on it, “Here you go, Tiny. It’s for you!”

Your eyes lit up in pure excitement, “Ball! Is mine?” You ask, plucking it from her hands.

“It’s all yours,” Keira nods in agreement, “Now you go and kick it about with Holly on the sidelines while we warm up, can’t you? It’ll be like you're warming up as well!”

“Me too?” You ask, gleefully.

“Exactly, it’s important that you warm up before the big game,” Keira insists, playfully poking you on your nose, “Can you do that for me?”

“Ou' got it dude!” You stick your thumb up and nod in agreement, before bounding off towards Holly who’s just entered the dressing room as you clutch your new ball under your arm, “Holly! Look at me’ ball I got!”

“Whoa! Is that yours? That’s so cool!” Holly gasps in a playful manner, “Me and you can kick that around, can’t we?”

“Uh huh!” You insist, nodding your head, “Look, it’ got England on it!”

“Problem solved, eh?” Keira gives Leah a faint smile, wrapping a free arm around her shoulder, despite the fact that the two of them are neither a hugger, the midfielder knows that Leah needs it right now, “I’m here for you mate, I know it’s tough around this time right now.”

“Thank you,” Leah murmurs to her best friend, returning the hug with barely any words exchanged, but she’s still grateful for her stepping in at the right time, “I don’t think I was prepared for a tantrum, not right now, at least.”

Keira hums in agreement, “I know mate, I can understand that.”

“I think she might be getting tired,” Leah explains, exhaling a sigh, “But that might be due to the fact she’s awake since 5 am this morning apparently.”

“Ouch,” Keira grimaces at the mention of that, “It sounds like you might have your hands full tonight then.”

“Oh, don’t I know it?” Leah covers her sadness up with a chuckle, “I’m hoping that she’ll go to sleep when we’re back at St. George’s park, but knowing my luck, my two will be running about.”

Keira laughs, patting Leah on the shoulder, “Well, better you than me, mate. Better you than me.”

"Mummy! Mummy!" You impatiently tug on Leah's hand to get her attention while she is in the middle of chatting to Mary, who's standing behind her in the tunnel, "Mummy, I need to ask ou' somethin'!"

"Sounds like it's something really important, eh, Buddy?" Mary jokes while she gives you a cheeky wink.

"It' is!" You insist with a nod of your head.

Leah turns around to give you her full attention, "What's the matter, bubba?"

"How long do we gots' to wait?" You question, fed up with waiting around in the tunnel to walk out onto the pitch, "It feels like we been waitin' forever!"

"It hasn't been that long, silly," Leah chuckles, brushing a stray curl from your face, "Just a little bit longer. Are you getting tired?" She asks, concerned.

You shake your head in disagreement, "No, I not tired, I just bored!" You tell her, letting out a dramatic huff, "Mummy! I need to tell ou' somethin'!"

"You do? What do you want to tell me?" Leah asks out of curiosity.

"One day when I' older like 'ou, I'm gon' be a lion... lioness!" You declare proudly, your tiny voice full of determination, "And be like Mama an' Monks' too!"

Leah hums, smiling softly at you, "You already are my little lioness, bubba."

"No, Mummy, I wan' be a real lioness just like 'ou!" You exclaim, trying to express your seriousness about the subject that you really do want to be just like her, "I wan' be like 'ou!"

"One day you will be," Leah promises as she playfully pokes you on the nose lightly.

You can hear the noise from inside the stadium getting louder as it echoes through the tunnel and your tiny hand squeezes Leah's tightly, "Mummy! There lots of music, an' it loud!" You complain, not too much a fan of the loudness.

"It does sound loud, doesn't it?" Leah laughs and places her own hands over your ears, "Is that better now, bubba?"

"Uh huh. Dat better!" You nod in agreement, moving to lean into her side and wrap your small arms around her legs, "Why do we gots' to wait so long? I bored!"

Leah chuckles at your question, "Patience, little miss."

"But I bored now. I wan' walk out!" You whine, not keen on the idea of standing in the tunnel instead, "How' long now?" You question.

"Not too long to wait now," Leah retorts, amusedly.

Clearly that answer isn't good enough by your response of letting out an exaggerated sigh, "I bored waiting now, Mummy! Can ou' tell 'em to hurry up?"

"You're starting to sound like your big sister," Leah teases.

"I be like Monks'!" You proudly declare, puffing out your chest.

"I heard my name mentioned," Your favourite person pops up out of nowhere, appearing behind you.

"Monks'!" You exclaim, excited to see her, "Mummy says' I sound just like ou'!"

Monkey playfully gasps, "You do? Wow. I think that's a compliment!" She insists, "Are you ready to walk out soon?"

"Yeah, but it sound so loud out der!" You tell her.

Monkey hums in agreement, "It does sound a bit loud, doesn't it?" She pauses for a brief second, "Oh! Remember though, when you walk out, you've gotta wave at everyone and smile for the cameras!"

"Will Mama be able to see me?" You ask, excited for Jordan to be able to see you on the TV.

"Probably, yeah!" Monkey agrees.

Your eyes light up in pure excitement, "Mummy! Monks' said dat Mama will be able to see me on da telly!"

"That's right, bubba," Leah nods in agreement, "I bet Mama will be watching so she'll be able to see you walking out."

"An' Nana, too?" You wonder, fascinated that everyone will be able to see you on the big screen.

"Mhm, Nana's up in the crowd, isn't she?" Leah retorts, amused by your amazement, "You'll have to give her a big wave so you can ask if she saw you, won't you?"

"Yeah!" You exclaim loudly.

Monkey huffs in protest, "Bit miffed I didn't get to see her before the game."

"There's still plenty of time afterwards, don't worry, you've not been forgotten," Leah teases.

"Yeah, don' worry Monks'! Nana will still be de for ou' to see after!" You parrot Leah's words, which earns a laugh by the players around, "Mummy! Can I hold our' flag? I wan' hold it!"

"You do?" Leah asks with a playful gasp, "It's an important job, so you need to make sure to hold it tightly and don't drop it, do you think you can manage it?"

"Ou' got it dude!" You agree, sticking your thumb up at her.

Leah laughs and hands you the flag for you to hold, "Alright, hold onto it tightly for me then, bubba."

"Look, Monks' I gets to hold da flag!" You tell Monkey, excitedly.

"Wow, that's cool!" Money retorts, playfully ruffling your hair, "That's a super important thing to do!"

Your excitement is quickly overshadowed by grumpiness due to being tired, and it tips the scale at that moment, "No, Monks' stop it! I don' like it!" You tell her while giving her a small scowl.

"Geesh, someone needs a nap," Monkey can't help but wind you up even more, continuing to ruffle your hair, "Why are you in a grump?"

"STOP IT!" You shout directly at your big sister.

"Buddy," Leah chastises you in a gentle but firm tone of voice, "Hey, there's no need to shout, is there?"

"Mummy! Tell Monks' to stop!" You whine, peering up to look at Leah with a grumpy expression on your face, "She doin' my 'ead in! Keep messin' up me hair! Tell 'er to stop doin' it!"

Leah stifles her laughter as you have a certain flair for dramatics, "Quit it, Menace."

"What?" Monkey murmurs, holding her hands up in protest, "I didn't do out. You have no proof!"

"Just stop being a nuisance, will you, please?" Leah asks, exhaling a sigh.

You signal to be picked up, lifting your arms above your head without any words due to your tiredness.

Leah leans down and scoops you up into her arms, "She's already tired, and I don't need you to be winding her up even more, okay?"

"Alright, alright," Monkey reluctantly agrees, slumping her shoulders, "Tattle-tail."

"Monkey!" Leah scolds her while giving her a stern look, "What did I just say--Go back and stand in the line. You're not helping matters here."

"Geesh, maybe you need a nap as well," Monkey doesn't miss the opportunity to say as she starts to move back to her original place in the line in between Jess Naz and Jess Carter.

Leah arches her eyebrow, "I heard that."

"Good, cos' you were meant to," Monkey replies, cheekily before she proceeds to poke Georgia.

"What's she like, eh?" Leah murmurs, tucking a fly away hair out of your face as you rest your head on her shoulder, "Are you getting tired now, bubba?"

"Uh huh," You nod in agreement as a small yawn slips past your mouth, "I tired now Mummy! Walk out soon?"

"Very soon now," Leah reassures you as she gently bounces you in her arms, "Do you want Mummy to carry you, or do you want to walk out?"

"I walk!" You mumble as you tiredly rub your eyes, "Down please!" You insist as you wriggle about, wanting to be back down on the floor again.

You are currently too tired to really know what you right now, and Leah can tell that as time goes on, you're becoming more and more grumpy, which means it's only momentarily before you do fall asleep.

However, there's also the issue of you not sleeping later tonight then, and she's hoping that you can stay awake until the ride back on the coach.

"As you wish," Leah gently places you back down on the floor, but you're still feeling tired as you cling to her legs, just as it's time to walk out, "It's time now, bubba. Are you ready?" She questions, taking hold of your hand.

"I ready!" You agree, clutching hold of it as you tightly grasp the flag in your other hand.

"Let's go then my little lioness," Leah chuckles, leading the way to walk out of the tunnel with you right beside her.

As you begin to walk out from the tunnel with your hand clasped in Leah's, the roar of the crowd surrounds you and your eyes widen as you take it all in, "Hi Wembley!" You exclaim, your tiredness gone in that moment, "Mummy! Is' so loud, isn't it?"

"I know it is," Leah retorts, peering down at you with a soft smile, "You're doing a great job holding the flag for me, bubba."

"Me holdin' it for ou'!" You declare, proudly and make sure to keep a tight hold on it so you don't drop it.

There's a lot of people all standing up and cheering as Leah and the rest of the lionesses all line up, and you stand in front of Leah as she drapes her free arm around your shoulder.

You stand in front of Leah and look around the stadium with wide eyes, "Are all these people here to see me, Mummy?"

Leah can't help but laugh in amusement, "Not quite, bubba, but I think they will be happy to see you," She pauses, "Do you want to wave at them and say hello?"

"Yeah, I wan' wave to them!" You insist, letting go of Leah's hand to wave to the loud crowd around you, "I wavin' to 'em, Mummy!"

"You're stealing the show, Buddy," Mary chimes in, grinning at you.

"I wavin' to dem all, so Nana an' Uncle J an' Gan'ma can see me!" You ramble to Mary, "Hi, Nana! Hi, Uncle G! Hi, Gan'ma! Mummy, do ou' think dey can see me now I wavin' at 'em?"

"I think they might be able too," Leah chuckles as she motions over to the big screen, "Look, bubba, there's the camera. See? Give it a wave and you'll be able to see yourself on the big screen!" She exclaims, pointing with her index finger to the camera that's panning down the line of lionesses, before you peer up to where the TV shows you eagerly waving at the camera.

"Wow, Mummy. I can see me!" You squeal, vibrating with excitement, "I wave at da camera like ou' said to do!"

"Great job, Buddy!" Leah coos, as you start to shiver a bit from the bitter cold temperature in the stadium, so Leah does no more than take off her presentation jacket and drapes it around your arms, "Is that better, bubba?"

"Yeah! I cold!" You whine, feeling a bit more warmer with the jacket around you as you decide to be nosy and stick your head out, looking down the line at the opposing players, "Mummy! I can see Emily!" You state, excitedly.

"You can? Wow!" Leah says with a playful gasp, "You'll have to remember to say hi when we walk down the line, won't you?"

"Uh huh!" You nod in agreement, scrunching your face up in confusion when a song starts to play that you don't recognise, "What dis?" You ask.

"It's the USA's national anthem, bubba," Leah explains, "Just like we have ours, don't we?"

"I can sing about m' dino'daurs!" You say with a certain sense of determination.

Leah faintly chuckles while she shakes her head, "Maybe save that one for another day."

Nodding in agreement, you recognise the music for what you're told is England's' national anthem, but you would much prefer to sing about dinosaurs instead, in your opinion. You don't really know the words to this song, so you just stand there, your eyes gazing around the stadium as you continue to wave.

The next thing you know, you guess the song must have finished because everyone is starting to clap and the crowds' cheering gets louder and louder.

"Come on, bubba, we need to walk down the line now," Leah guides you in the direction to walk down and high five with the players on the USA team, "Give them a high five, Buddy." She gestures about what to do, exchange a high five with Lindsey Horan.

"Can I get a high five?" The blonde woman, known as Lindsey Horan questions, crouching down to your level as you go a bit shy, shaking your head and trying to hide behind Leah.

"Give her a high five, bubba," Leah tells you in a gentle tone of voice, but you remain firm in your decision and shake your head again, "Sorry. I think she's gone a bit shy."

You were hesitant to high five with the majority of the USA players, however when you saw Emily it was totally different, "Emily!" You shout, recognising the brunette from Arsenal, "Look, I got Mummy's flag cos' I special and gets to hold it!"

"You get to hold that? Wow, that's such an important role, munchkin!" Emily insists with a genuine smile on her face, crouching down to your level to give you a high five but to her surprise, you throw your small arms around her legs, "Oh, I get a hug? Thank you, Buddy!"

Leah blinks in surprise, your usual chatterbox self making an appearance again as she exchanges a high five with Emily, "Good luck, Foxy," She wishes her luck, "Come on, bubba, we need to make our way down the rest of the line." She says, encouraging you to keep walking to reach the end of the players.

"Mummy! I saw Emily an' gave her a hug!" You retort, like she wasn't just there to witness it, "Did ou' see?"

"I did see that, and it was very kind of you to do that," Leah nods in agreement, gesturing you to where the Lionesses all huddled together for a team photo.

"Are you going to be part of our team photo, Buddy?" Alessia questions, walking over as she's chucked her own presentation jacket off.

You nod your little head in agreement, "Yeah, I join! I like taking photos!"

Monkey appears by your side, "Do you want to come an' crouch beside me?"

"Yeah!" You move to stand beside Monkey, who's crouching on the grass as she protectively wraps her arm around your shoulder.

"Remember to say cheese, Buddy!" Lucy Bronze calls out from where she's stood behind you, to the right hand side of Leah.

"Or rotten tomatoes," Beth chimes in, jokingly.

You scrunch your face up in disgust, "Ew, rotten tomatoes' are gross, Auntie Beth!"

Beth laughs in amusement, "Do you want to continue to hold the flag, or do you want me to hold onto it?"

"I do it!" You insist stubbornly, refusing to let go off the flag anytime soon.

"You got it," Beth says, holding her hands up in mock surrender, "Say cheese, Buddy!"

"Cheese!" You parrot, beaming a smile in the direction of the camera pointing directly at you, "I say cheese, Monks'!"

"Good job, Buddy!" Monkey exchanges a high five with you, "I bet that'll be a great photo when it comes out!"

"Me a lioness now!" You declare, promptly.

"You sure are," Georgia comes up behind you and scoops you up into her arms, dangling you over her shoulder so you're upside down.

"Ah! Put me down, Auntie G!" You squeal in protest, not keen on being upside down as you pound your tiny fists against your back, "Put me down."

"Are you sure you don't like being upside down?" Georgia teases.

Keira catches onto what Georgia is doing and grimaces, "G, you're gonna make her sick if you dangle her upside down like that."

"No, I don' like it!" You squeal in response, "Put me down. Now!"

"She's fine, don't worry," The younger girl responds as she laughs.

Leah's eyes widen in panic, "Georgia, do not drop my child!"

"Oh please, like that's not happened before," Georgia retorts as she rolls her eyes, swinging you around and placing you on the ground to relieve Leah's blood pressure, "Since when did you get so sassy, Tiny?"

Leah suddenly completely freezes and turns to look at her confused, "What?"

"Yeah, Monks' dropped me, Mummy!" You chime in at the perfect moment to drop the bombshell.

"What?" Leah's eyes are wide like saucers, standing there with her hands on her hips, while giving Monkey the look.

"No I didn't--that never happened! You have no proof!" Monkey tries to worm her way out of this one, attempting to look less guilty than she currently did, "Buddy! That was supposed to be a secret between us, remember?"

"I forgot," You admit, grinning at your big sister.

Monkey face palms and throws her head back for extra exaggeration, "I even gave you extra ice cream and everything!"

"You blackmail your sister?" Leah continues to look at Monkey in disbelief.

"Eh, well I think blackmailing is a bit extreme," Monkey mumbles, scratching the back of her neck, "It was more like bribing her..."

"Monkey!" Leah exclaims, outraged.

"What? I'm sorry--it was a complete accident, I swear! I didn't mean to drop her!" You insist, holding your hands up in self defence, "Total fluke."

Leah clicks her tongue and shakes her head, "Unbelievable," She mutters to herself.

"I mean... At least it was a soft landing," Monkey retorts, shrugging her shoulders.

"We'll talk more about this later," Leah reiterates to her, shaking her head as she realises she needs to get on with captain duties now, "Bubba, can Mummy have the flag now? You did such a good job keeping it safe, but I need it now."

"No!" You stubbornly refuse, shaking your head, "It mine now!"

"No, no, that's not how it works," Leah tells you with a gentle tone of voice, "Mummy needs to exchange it now with the USA captain, so I need it back, please."

"Nooo! It mine, Mummy! Ou' can' have it!" You whine, your tiredness slowly creeping in as you cling onto the flag in your hands.

"Bubba," Leah begins to speak still in a gentle voice, "Mummy needs it back now. If you want I can buy you one like it, but I need this one now, okay?" She continues to be patient and explain to you.

"No," Your stubbornness is even more evident with your tiredness, "It mine. Ou' can' have it, Mummy!"

Leah inwardly groans and bites her bottom lip, realising that you're not going to willingly give up the flag, "I'm sorry, Buddy, but Mummy needs it now," So with that in mind, she has to prise it out of your hands, which as expected, begins a whole different meltdown.

Only this time it's on the pitch, in front of several thousand fans.

"M' flag!" The waterworks instantly flow and you crumple down on the floor, "Give it back. Now." Your little voice demands, your sobs worsening as you throw yourself to the floor and hit your fists on the pitch.

Leah feels truly awful in that minute, she wants to reach down, scoop you up in her arms and comfort you, however, she needs to deal with captain duties, so she's really torn.

"Oh dear," Beth takes note of the situation and frowns, crouching down to your level, gesturing for Leah to do what she needs to do, "What's happened here? You were so smiley five minutes ago then, Buddy!" She coos, knowing full well how to tackle a tantrum now.

Your bottom lip trembles, visibly upset, "Mummy took m' flag!"

"Your flag?" Beth furrows her eyebrow in confusion, "Oh you don't want that one, I bet we can find you one that's much cooler than that, what do you reckon?" She suggests the idea that will solve the problem.

"I like it, doh'!" You tell her, your sobs' still evident as tears roll down your cheeks.

"Yeah, but I bet you we can find an Arsenal one, or I think we can get one especially made for you," Beth continues to suggest, "Wouldn't that be cool?"

"M' okay den," You don't hesitate to think about it, nodding in agreement.

"But we can't do that if you're crying now, can we?" Beth teases, leaning forward to wipe a stray tear from face.

You shake your head in disagreement, "No..."

"Exactly, now where's our smiley Buddy gone?" Beth questions, hoping to make you smile again.

"Ere' I am!" You exclaim, your upset starting to differ at the change of subject.

"That's much better," Beth retorts with a soft smile, "We can't have a frowny Buddy can we? I think we all much prefer a smiley Buddy!"

"I smile!" Your tears start to slowly subside, spotting Leah heading back over to you, "Mummy! Auntie Beth said I can have own flag!"

"Oh, really? I'm sure that can be arranged," Leah remarks in agreement, nodding her head as she mouths a quick "thank you" to Beth that you don't pay much attention to her, "Right, bubba, it's time for the game to start now. You're going to go back and sit with everyone now, alright?"

"Yeah, I go back an' find Nana. I tell her 'bout everythn'!" You insist in agreement, "I go find Holly?"

"She's right over there, can you see her?" Leah motions over to where Holly is standing just inside of the tunnel out of the way as she gives you a little wave, "You run to her, and Mummy will see you after the game finishes, okay?"

"Okay, Mummy! I cheer super loud for ou'!" You say with a sense of determination as you wrap your tiny arms around her legs, "I see ou' in bit! I love 'ou!"

Leah pulls you into her arms and squeezes you tightly for a brief couple of seconds, "I love you too, bubba!" She tells you, kissing you on the forehead, "Be good, alright? I'll see you in a bit."

"I see ou' in a bit!" You repeat, pulling out of the hug as you start to toddle towards Holly in the tunnel, "Holly! Did ou' see me wavin' on da big screen? I wavin' so everyone can see me!"

"I did see you!" Holly nods in agreement as you let a yawn escape your mouth, "Shall we go and find everyone now, huh? You can tell us all about it!"

"Uh huh!" You agree, holding your arms up and without any further words, Holly easily scoops you up into her arms.

"Someone's tired, aren't they?" Holly coos, rubbing soothing circles on your back as your eyes begin to flutter shut, despite your attempts to keep them open, “Come on sleepy girl, let’s get you somewhere you can have a nap.”

"Hey, there's our little superstar!" Amanda's brother, your Great-Uncle exclaims, as he spots you and Holly walk back to the box, "Did you have fun out there, kiddo?"

"Uh huh! Lots' of fun!" You tell them enthusiastically, your small hands fumbling with Holly's necklace around her neck.

"We saw you on the big screen, munchkin!" Jacob chimes in.

"Yeah! I walk out der!" You say as you start to wriggle in Holly's arms to get down, wanting to be the centre of attention, "I was wavin' to ou' all!"

Berny hums in agreement, "We saw. You did a great job, darling!"

"I gots to hold Mummys' flag!" You exclaim, bouncing up and down on your tip-toes, "An' I took picture with 'em!"

"Wow," Ben gasps playfully, "It sounds like you had a lot of fun out there!"

You nod enthusiastically, your tiredness overshadowed by pure excitement, "I fun! I' did an important job holding it! I' a Lioness!"

"You did, it is an important job, isn't it?" Amanda smiles at your excitement, "Alright then, Little Lioness, the games about to kick off now. Where do you want to sit to watch it?"

"I sit with Uncle J!" You insist, toddling over to him and attempting to climb up onto his lap, "I' need 'elp, p'ease!"

Jacob chuckles in amusement, leaning down to scoop you up, and plonking you on his lap, "Better, munchkin?"

"Better!" You agree, just as a small yawn escapes your mouth, "I no tired!"

"Are you sure?" Jacob laughs, tickling your sides which worsens your mood, "Maybe that has something to do with you waking me up so early this morning, eh?" He jokes.

You turn around, scowling at the lad, "Stop, Uncle J. I no like that!"

"You don't? But you were so happy to wake me up this morning, so I thought I would just return the favour!" Jacob grins, finding amusement in winding you up despite your own grumpiness.

"Stop it. No like it!" You whine, tiredly.

"Oh, I think someones' a bit tired, aren't they now?" Ben joins in, chuckling.

"I think so," Jacob retorts, "Wakey, wakey, Buddy!"

Amanda chuckles and shakes her head, "Son, don't wind her up,"

"I'm only doing the same thing she did to me this morning," Jacob replies, grinning from ear to ear.

"No! Stop it' Uncle J!" You reach your hands out to swat him, accidentally catching him in the face, "I no like it!"

Holly winces as she watches your little hand fly out and hit Jacob, "Oh dear."

"Ah, ah," Amanda reacts instantly, reaching over and plucking you off Jacob's lap, "We don't hit little miss. That's not very nice to do that."

You scowl in return, looking straight at her, "Nana, Uncle J's doin' my head in!"

"I know he is," Amanda finds it hard to stifle her laugh and be serious in the situation with the expression you are pulling, "But it's still not okay for you to hit him. We have to use gentle hands, remember?"

You're still in a sulk, crossing your arms over your chest, "He bein' meanie!" Your tiredness continues to take over, making everything seem like a complete meltdown.

"I know, but he's going to stop now," Amanda says as she looks at Jacob while she says it so it's more aimed at him, "I think you're a bit tired now, aren't you?"

You shake your head in protest, "I no tired!" You say just as you let another yawn again, "I go an' sit back on Uncle J!"

"That's fine, but you have to remember to be kind otherwise Uncle J won't want you to sit with him, will he?" Amanda reminds you in a tone of voice that is gentle but still held some firmness as well.

"I be nice!" You mumble, inching your way off Amanda's lap to clamber back onto Jacob's, "I sorry for hitting ou', Uncle J."

"That's alright, munchkin. I know you didn't mean to do it," Jacob responds, "I'm sorry for winding you up as well." He adds.

You move to rest your head on the lads' shoulder, "Dat okay." You mumble, your eyes are heavy with sleep as you fight to stay awake.

"You can sleep if you want?" Jacob whispers, rubbing small soothing circles on your back.

"I no tired," You whine while you still rest your head on his shoulder, "I be awake an' watch da game!"

Your determination didn't stretch very far and within the first twenty minutes of the game, so you end up flaking out on Jacob's lap. The chatter around lulling you to sleep even though you tried to refuse to sleep when the game is going on around you.

"So much for her not bein' tired, eh?" Ben jokes, leaning in towards Jacob.

Jacob chuckles, rocking you in his arms, "I know, that didn't take long at all,"

"Let's just hope that she will sleep tonight, otherwise Le's gonna be in for a tough one," Holly chimes in, knowingly.

"I imagine she'll be fine," Jacob retorts, shrugging his shoulders and letting you sleep peacefully, not shocked you're able to sleep through the noise in the stadium considering you are more than used to it now.

Just as the whistle blew for half time, you wake up from your brief nap and it's like the energy inside you has been restored as you become your usual chatterbox self once again.

"I'hungry now!" You declare, huffing as you rub the sleep from your eyes.

"You're the hungry little caterpillar, huh?" Jacob jokes.

You shake your head in protest, "No, I just a hungy' Buddy!" You tell him.

"Oh, right. My apologies, hungry Buddy," Jacob continues to joke, "Shall we get you something to fill that hole? I can hear noises coming from your tummy!" He exclaims, playfully gasping in shock.

"Uh huh! I' come with ou' to get it!" You tell him, wriggling to get off his lap so he can stand up.

"Okay," Jacob agrees with your decision.

"I'll join you. I need another drink," Ben chimes in, standing up from his own seat.

"Nana! I goin' wif Uncle J to get somethin' cos' I hungy'!" You exaggerate, rubbing your stomach for emphasis, "I be back in bit!"

Amanda chuckles at your little demands, "Oh, are you? Alright, well just remember to hold Uncle J's hand please."

"'Ou' got it, dude!" You stick your thumb up in response, before clutching hold of Jacob's hand and toddling off to get something to eat.

"She's such a little character sometimes, isn't she?" Holly chuckles in amusement.

"Oh she definitely is. She's definitely Leah's daughter," Berny jokes.

"Looks like it's a bit of a long queue," Ben retorts, motioning to it, "Do you know what you want to eat, cheeky chops?" He uses his usual nickname for you.

"Me wan' nuggets!" You declare, excitedly.

"Consider it done," Jacob nods in agreement as you continue to clutch a tight grip of his hand, though you become increasingly bored waiting and decide to make it known, very vocally.

"I bored, waitin'!" You whine impatiently to Jacob and Ben who are having their own conversation between the two of them, so you proceed to let go of Jacob's hand and tug on the male's jacket in front of you that you faintly recognise, "Hi. Ou' Lessi's brother!" You exclaim enthusiastically, recognising him from matches both at Arsenal and England.

The man spins around and peers down at you, "Hi, Buddy."

You gasp in shock, your eyes widening, "Ou' know my name?" You ask, a bit confused, "What our' name?"

"I do, I'm Luca," The man chuckles, crouching down to your level, "And your Leah and Jordan's little one, aren't you?"

You nod enthusiastically, "Yeah, I Buddy! Dat m' Mummy an' Mama's names!" You continue to gasp in amazement that he knows who they are, "Hey... Ou' not da one dat I saw in Australia!" You state, somewhat offended suddenly.

Luca chuckles, "I'm not."

"Where' he den'?" You scrunch your face up in confusion.

"That's my brother, Georgio," Luca explains to you, "He's in Australia, all the way on the other side of the world."

You gasp in amazement, "Dat where Ra' is! An' Stephy an' Caitlin!" You exclaim in excitement, "Ra' is Monks' best friend! Like I best friends with Roo!"

Luca arches his eyebrow, a little confused with your rambling and trying to keep up with who is who, "Oh, are they? Who's Ra' again?"

You slump your shoulders and let out a small dramatic huff, "Kyra, duh!"

"Oh," Luca chuckles faintly, "Yeah, I've met her a few times... And Roo is your best friend then, huh?"

"Uh huh!" You nod your little head promptly, "We besties! Monks' says so!"

"I see, and Monks' is..." Luca's slightly confused with the different people.

"Monks' is m' big sister!" You exclaim, exaggerating another little huff, "An' dis is m' Uncle J and Ben!"

Jacob chuckles in amusement, "Alright, Luca? I see you've met our little chatterbox?"

"I no chat... I no one of them!" You find it hard to pronounce the correct words while pouting at Jacob, "I tell him 'bout Monks'!"

"Yeah, very interesting conversation," Luca plays along with your ramble, "I have been told all about the Aussie girls, and Monks' as well."

"Menace that one is," Ben quips in, "We're at the front of the queue now, cheeky chops. Is it just nuggets that you want?"

"An' chips as well!" You insist, promptly.

Jacob chuckles, "Can't forget the chips now, can we?" He jokes, reeling off the food you want and tapping his card to pay for said items.

"An' dippy sauce too!" You shout aloud.

Ben laughs, accepting the drinks hes' given as he takes a swig of one of them before passing one of them over to Jacob.

It's not long before Jacobs' handed over your chicken nuggets and chips, "Right, shall we go back to everyone now?"

"Uca' come too!" You peer up to look at Luca in question.

"Luca's sitting with his own family, munchkin. I'm sure you can see him in a bit though," Jacob explains, amused that you seem to have latched onto someone else who you barely know, "Let's go show Nana what you've got, yeah?"

"Okay... But I see ou' in a bit, 'Uca!" You wave enthusiastically at your new friend, before toddling off with Jacob and Ben back to your box, "I back now!"

"Oh I thought it was quiet around here," Holly retorts playfully.

"I not quiet!" You tell her, confused.

Berny chuckles in amusement, "What've you got there, darling?"

"Nuggets an' chips!" You say, pointing to each item that you have in Jacob's hands, "An' dippy sauce as well!"

"Wow, that looks good," Amanda states, helping you sit in your own seat before Jacob carefully hands you your meal, "Careful when you eat it, sweetheart. It might still be a bit hot." She warns, gently.

"It 'kay. I be careful!" You insist, kicking your little legs as you tuck into your chicken nuggets and chips, "M' it nice! I' no share either!" You add, speaking with your mouthful.

"Game 'over now?" You hear the final whistle blow to signal the end of the game, which ends in a result of nil - nil with a penalty overruled by a VAR decision.

Amanda nods in agreement, "It is now, sweetheart."

"I see Mummy and Monks' now?" You question, eager to see both of them.

"They'll both be coming up here soon," Amanda explains, reaching over to wipe a bit of sauce off your cheek with a napkin, "You just have to be patient a little bit longer, okay?"

"I bored waitin' though!" You huff dramatically, resting your chin on your hand as you kick your legs, "I wait... but I no like waitin'!"

Jacob laughs, leaning forward to ruffle your hair gently, "You're so patient, aren't you, munchkin?"

"I no patient!" You correct him indignantly, your little pout returning as you munch on a chip, "I wanna see 'em now! Mummy said I see her after!"

"She will come as soon as she can," Amanda reassures you with a soft smile, "Why don't you finish your food first, and then I'm sure they'll be upstairs before you know it, hm?"

Your eyes brighten a little at the idea of that, "Okay, Nana! I eat first so I see her quicker!"

Ben chuckles, "I don't think that's how it works, cheeky chops. Be careful you don't choke now, alright?"

You give him a dramatic thumbs up before stuffing another nugget in your mouth, chewing determinedly as you hope it makes the time go quicker.

You don't know how much time has passed before you feel someone cover your eyes with their hands, "Boo!" You recognise the familiar voice of your favourite person.

"Monks'!" You squeal, spinning around to face her.

The girl grins amusedly, "Miss me?"

"It's all we've heard since the game ended," Holly teases, her tone fond.

"I missed you as well, Buddy!" Monkey states, ruffling your hair despite your overall disagreement on it, "Did you see me out on the pitch?" She questions.

"I saw! Gan'ma helped me see!" You beam proudly, bouncing on your toes.

"Yeah, you're too short to see otherwise, eh, munchkin?" Jacob teases, before he falls into conversation with Monkey, catching up since the last time they saw each other.

"Am I just forgotten' about now, huh?" Leah jokes, entering the box freshly showered with her damp hair scraped back as Keira follows her behind, grinning.

"Mummy!" You shout, bolting straight to her and throw your small arms around her, "I miss ou'!"

Leah scoops you up, pressing a kiss to your temple, "Oh that's a nice cuddle I needed," She coos, "Thank you bubba, I missed you too."

"I watch game!" You tell her proudly.

Leah gasps playfully, tucking a stray strand of your hair behind your ear, "Did you have fun watching it?"

"Uh huh! I missed ou' though!" You admit, resting your head against her shoulder.

Leah smile softens as she kisses the top of your head again, "I missed you too, bubba, but I'm glad you had a good time."

"Mummy?" You ask, your voice dropping into a whisper, "What' da sup'ise now?"

"Oh, you didn't forget about that one, did you?" Leah chuckles, "Well how would you like it if you stayed with me, Monks' and the rest of the girls for the rest of camp?"

Your jaw drops, "Dat be so cool! I can?"

"Of course you can, bubba! I already asked Sarina, so you're going to travel back with us instead of going back to Mama's house," Leah confirms, grinning at your reaction.

"Yay! We go now?" You ask eagerly, wiggling in her arms.

"In a little bit," Leah says, laughing at your excitement, "We need to get your things out of Nana's car first."

"Mr. Bear comin' too," You insist with wide eyes.

"Of course," Leah reassures you, "I can't imagine you would want to leave him behind, would you?"

"No, he no like it," You say with a decisive shake of your head.

Monkey comes barreling over to you, grinning, "Did you tell her the surprise, Le?"

"Monks'! I come to camp an' sleep over!" You exclaim proudly.

"I know!" Monkey says, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "We're gonna have so much fun. It's gonna be epic! We'll stay up late, swap manly stories, and in the morning... I'm making waffles!"

"I 'cited!" You nod along, excitedly.

Ben stares at Monkey, deadpan, "Did... Did you just quote Shrek?"

"Obviously, Ben," Monkey rolls her eyes dramatically.

"Oh boy, you're in for some fun there love," Berny chuckles, shaking her head in amusement.

Leah groans playfully, shaking her head, "What did I sign up for?"

Holly snorts in response, "Double trouble with them pair."

"Double trouble indeed," Keira retorts, smirking.

"Duh, what'd yer' expect with us both together?" Monkey quips, slinging her arm around Keira's shoulder, "Right, Buddy?"

"Right, Monks'!" You declare, nodding your head in agreement.

"Yeah… I think I'm going to end up regretting this by the end of the week," Leah mutters to nobody in particular.

And sure enough, the chaos that you both cause is nearly the cause of Leah having somewhat of a nervous breakdown, but that's another story for a different day, of course.

#monkey #double the trouble fic #leah williamson x reader #woso x reader #woso one shot #scribblesofagoonerr #buddy #chaos fc reader #separate reader #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso community

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scribblesofagoonerr · 6 months ago

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dino's are fancy! | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

summary: new year eve celebrations are in full swing, however, buddy is set on wearing a dinosaur costume to the party, so leah has to compromise somwhere along the line...

double the trouble masterlist

"Ou' need dis one next! B'ue one next!" You demand, less than patient as you thrust the Lego brick into Monkey's hand, "Ere', Monks'! Take it!"

You're sitting cross-legged on the floor in the living room beside Monkey, near to the twinkling Christmas tree. The two of you are deep into building the massive Lego set that your favourite person got for Christmas.

Monkey generously let you help her-- though she was actually doing most of the work, she had cheekily dubbed you as her "assistant."

"Pass it over here then, shrimp," Monkey mumbles, holding her hand out.

"Ere ou' go! 'Ave it!" You chirp, pushing the piece into her hand with determination.

"Good job," Your favourite person murmurs distractedly, focused on the instructions.

The room feels cosy, the soft hum of New Year's preparations buzzing in the background. You're aware there's a big crowd coming over later, and you're beyond excited - especially since your best friend, Rory, is also coming to the party as well with Beth and Viv.

"Monks'?" You not so politely prod the older girl in the shoulder, "When everyone comin' round?" You ask, curiosity piqued.

"Not until way, way later tonight, remember? It'll be dark and the monsters will be out to get ya!" Monkey tells you with a teasing smile.

Your eyes widen in fear, "No' Monsters!" You exclaim, scrambling to your feet and leaving Monkey behind to continue building Lego on her own, "Mummy! Mummy!" You shout aloud the house without a care in the world, absolutely frightened now.

Leah and her girlfriend, Elle, are both currently in the kitchen in the middle of sorting out all the grown-up drinks ahead of the party when you run in like a deer in the headlights.

"Whoa," Elle is the first to catch you mid-run before you crash into something and hurt yourself like you've done once or twice before, "You okay, little miss?"

"I scared. Where's me, mum?" You ask frantically, your eyes darting around the room to catch sight of Leah, "Mummy! Where are ou'?"

"I'm right here, bubba," Leah chuckles, carrying a couple of funny-looking bottles in her hand as she places them both down on the kitchen countertop, before crouching down to your level and seeing your frightened expression, "Hey, what's the matter?"

"Mummy! Monks' said der' be monsters tonight at the party cos' it'll be late!" Your bottom lip trembles with worry, your eyes wide like saucers, "I don' wan see none of da' monsters!"

"What? Ignore your big sister, bubba. I think she’s just being a bit silly," Leah says, shaking her head in disagreement, reaching down to scoop you up and sit you on top of the kitchen counter, "There'll be no monsters in sight at all, alright? You're safe inside the house."

"Ou' promise?" You look sceptical, not entirely sure whether to trust Leah's word or not.

"I promise, bubba," Leah coos, gently moving a flyaway hair out of your eyes, "Monkey is just joking around like she does, alright? But there'll definitely be no monsters at the party tonight, so you have nothing to fear!" She adds, playfully poking you on the nose.

"Kay' den but ou' better mean it!" You agree, still somewhat sceptical about the answer, "I needs’ to ask ou' a question, please!"

"That's good manners, bubba," Leah praises with a soft smile, "And what might your question be then?"

"When Roo comin' round?" You question, impatiently, "Monks' said no till later on. Dat true?" You ask, letting out a dramatic huff, complete with flailing arms.

Leah smiles softly, nodding in agreement, "Monks' is right there, bubba. It won't be until much later on when it's dark outside, remember?"

"Why no' earlier? It be borin' when it' dark!" You exclaim, scrunching your face up in confusion, "Me and Roo can' no play with me all toys if it' dark, Mummy!"

"There'll be time to play, bubba," Leah reminds you with a soft, genuine smile, "And remember? Roo’s sleeping over tonight. Are you excited about that?"

Your eyes lit up in excitement, "Uh huh! I 'cited for me sleepover, an' I gets to see Auntie Kei as well, right?" You question, getting straight to the point.

"You do, and Holly, too. I know she's really looking forward to seeing you!" Leah grins enthusiastically, "And you know, Auntie Beth and Auntie Vivi will be coming as well, along with some of the other girls now they're back!"

"I more excited to see dem. I already see Holly at Nanas' other day," You retort, sassily with a small roll of your eyes, "She nothin' special anymore, Mummy. She don' even bring me choc'ote, she mean."

"Bubba," Leah starts, biting back laughter, "That's not very nice to say things like that now, is it? You know Holly loves you a lot, regardless if she brings you chocolate, or not."

"Yeah, but, I mean Auntie Kei better than Holly cos' she bring me cookies at least!" You declare, your mind made up on the matter.

Monkey snorts as she enters the kitchen, "Ooft, don't let Holly hear you say that, shrimp." She jokes, ruffling your hair as she passes you.

"Oi, you," Leah turns herself round to look at the teenage girl, "What's this I'm hearin' about you telling Buddy that there'll monsters tonight because it's dark?" She questions.

Monkey winces in realisation, "It was a joke, I swear."

"Yeah, well, it won't be very funny when she's waking up in the middle of the night crying though, will it?" Leah retorts, arching her eyebrow.

"No... I'm only messin' I promise," Monkey protests her innocence, holding her hands up in self-surrender, "Sorry, little Buddy. I didn't mean to really scare you, honest. Do you forgive me?" She apologises to you.

"It'fine. I 'pose' I forgive ou'!" You agree, nodding your head promptly.

Monkey grins cheekily, before proceeding to walk over to the fridge, "I'm absolutely hank Marvin'!"

"Me too!" You chime in, "I 'ank Marvin' as well, Mummy!"

"Oh, you are, huh?" Leah teases, ticking your sides until giggles bubble out of you, "I guess the three pancakes you ate for breakfast didn't fill up, did they?"

"No. I still hungy!" You continue to protest, holding your stomach to emphasis.

"Oh, I'm sure you are," Leah teases, playfully rolling her eyes.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a flippin' horse!" Monkey complains, rummaging through the fridge, and pulling out a bag of grated cheese and digging in before Leah swiftly intercepts.

"Aye," Leah scolds, taking the bag away and shooting her a disapproving look, "If you're going to eat that then at least make a sandwich, eh?"

Monkey grimaces, "Yeah, but sarnies are effort."

"Well, then you're not that hungry, are you?" Leah deadpans, returning the cheese to the fridge.

"Yeah, well, it's a lot of effort," Monkey mumbles in response, slumping her shoulders, "Well, what else can I eat? You've practically written everything off for later for the party, I'm starving 'ere, you know? I'm a growing girl!" She states, dramatically.

"You literally ate breakfast less than an hour ago, I'm sure you'll cope," Leah retorts, not resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"How can you both be so hungry?" Elle chuckles, shaking her head.

"I'm a growing girl, innit?" Monkey insists.

"Yeah, I g'owing girl as well!" You parrot.

"Copycat," Monkey mutters.

You give her your best scowl, "Am not!"

"Are too!" Monkey quips.

"No I not!" You fire back, stomping your foot in protest.

"Yes you are, you're such a parrot recently..." Monkey murmurs, going back to the fridge to grab a can of Diet Coke out.

"Are they always like this?" Elle jokes, amusedly watching you and Monkey bicker back and forth.

"More often than not it seems these days," Leah retorts, chuckling and shaking her head, "Girls, that's enough, you two. Can we go one day without you two squabbling, eh?"

"Sorry," Monkey mumbles, piercing the drink and taking a swig of it.

"I sorry. I only speakin' truth!" You feign innocence, using familiar words you've heard one too many times now.

Leah chuckles, smoothing a flyaway piece of hair out of your eyes, "Right, shall we go and find you something to wear for the party tonight?" She suggests, switching focus.

"Yeah!" You excitedly agree, eager to get down from the kitchen counter, "An Elle help as well!" You add, pointing your index finger in the direction of the woman.

"You want me to come and help you?" Elle repeats, surprised.

"Uh-huh. I need 'elp choosing!" You insist with a firm nod of your head, "Can ou' help me down, please?"

"Sure I can, little madam," Elle retorts, scooping you up off the kitchen worktop with practised ease like she's done it all before.

"Thank ou' very much!" You exclaim politely before you have the advantage to run off ahead of them, "Come on, Mummy! Come on, Elle. We needs' to pick me outfit!"

"It's very important isn't it," Leah teases, catching up with you as she shakes her head fondly, "Which dress are you going to pick out?" She wonders.

You impatiently tug open the doors of your wardrobe before spinning around and scrunching your face up in disgust, "No dress, Mummy. They yucky!"

"Oh, but how about the dress that Nana brought you?" Leah suggests, moving to grab the sparkly silver dress out of the wardrobe, "Or there's the pink one as well..."

"No, Mummy. I no wear a dress!" You state, stubbornly as you cross your arms over your chest, turning towards Elle, "Can ou' tell her that she's being ridiculous?" You insist.

"I'm being ridiculous?" Leah fauxes her hurt, clutching her hand over her chest, "Oh, where has my little baby girl gone..." She pretends to wipe a fake tear from her eye.

"It 'kay, Mummy. I still here, but I big girl now!" You tell her with a cheeky lopsided grin on your face, "I love ou'!" You add, moving to stand in front of her.

"I love you too, bubba," Leah smiles, squishing your cheeks together and kissing you on the top of your forehead, "Right then, so if you don't want to wear a dress. What do you want to wear instead?"

"Hm, I fink... Dino'daur costume!" You exclaim, spotting it out the corner of your eye hanging on a coat hook, "Dino'daur costume protect me from da monsters!"

"Your dinosaur costume, again?" Leah repeats in a silly tone of voice, "Don't you want to wear something cool for the party? You can wear anything you like! You don't need to wear anything to protect you from the Monsters, they're non-existent, remember, bubba?"

"I wear dino'daur costume just in case!" You insist, puffing out your chest with determination.

Leah grimaces slightly in disagreement, "Bubba, I think you might end up getting a little bit hot when you wear that when you're dancing, won't you, hmm? Maybe we could try a different option..."

"No, I be fine. I gon' wear dino'daur costume!" You tell her firmly, your mind made up on the decision, "I dance in dino'daur costume!"

Elle chuckles in amusement, "Well that's certainly a different option, hey?"

Leah still doesn't look entirely convinced on the matter, "Little miss, I know you want to wear your dinosaur costume, but don't you want to wear something a bit more... fancier?"

"Ou' need to understand, 'kay, Mummy?" You tell her with a certain seriousness, "Dinos' are fancy!"

Leah bit back a laugh, "Oh are they, huh? I mean, what about pretty instead?"

"Yuck! No pretty! Dino instead!" You declare.

"But... I thought you liked this one, bubba."

"No, it itchy an' scratchy, an it look horrible!" You ramble off different words you have heard before, shaking your head making your decision firm.

Leah blinks, "You won't look horrible, bubba--"

"Yes, I will! I be look hideous in it! I no wear dat!" You interject, repeating the words that you hear Monkey say when she doesn't like a certain outfit she wears and looks in the mirror.

"Bubba, Nana brought you this one though, and you liked it when you saw it," Leah explains in a gentle tone of voice, "How about we give it a try?"

You shake your head in disagreement, crossing your arms over your chest, "I don' care. I wan' be a dino'daur!"

"Excuse me, little miss sass," Leah mumbles in outrage at your newfound sassiness that she's still not entirely used to.

"Ou' need to understand Mummy 'dat dino'daur better," You wiggle your index finger in front of her face and have a somewhat serious expression plastered on your own, "'Kay?"

Leah stifles her amusement with a bite of her bottom lip, "Right, whatever you say then, my stubborn little miss," She jokes, "Are you sure you don't want to try something different instead?"

"Nooo!" You exclaim loud enough to be heard through the whole house, "I be dino'daur, Mummy. Roaaaar!" You let out an almightly loud roar like one of your favourite t-rexes.

"What, are we pretendin' to be a dinosaur tonight?" Monkey teases as she sticks her head around your bedroom door, "T-Rex or Stegosaurus?"

You ponder the question for a brief second, tapping your small finger on your chin, "I be a t-rex!" You insist, "Roaaaaaar! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!"

"Scary little t-rex," Monkey jokes, pretending to look somewhat terrified, "What're you shoutin' the house down 'bout anyways?"

"I be a dino'daur for da party!" You tell her, pointing your index finger in the direction of the costume where it lay still, "Monks'! Ou' tell Mummy dat she hafta let me wear it!"

"Well, I mean, why not, eh? You can rock the dino costume!" Monkey exclaims, stepping further into the room and taking the chance to ruffle your hair, "We'll have a little dino at the party instead of a little Buddy, eh?"

"Aye, no, Monks' get off me hair!" You whine, trying to push her hands off you.

"Buddy," Leah tries again, "Maybe just for tonight, we can try something different instead, hm? What about this?" She suggests, holding up a different outfit.

"Nooo! I no' wearin' dat," You tell her, scrunching your face up in disgust, "No way I wearin' dat!"

"Geesh, three-year-olds are so sassy these days," Monkey quips, plonking herself down on the carpeted floor, "You know, she's really not going to want to wear anything other than the dumb dinosaur costume now that she has it."

"Yeah, you're not kidding there," Leah mumbles, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I clearly shot myself in the foot there, haven't I?"

Monkey pulls a silly face, flailing her hands up, "I mean, really, it's sorta your own fault for buying it for Christmas. Whatcha' think would happen?"

Leah shoots your favourite person a disapproving look, "Yeah, alright, thanks for your help, Menace," She mutters, "Bubba, look, it's really not that bad. Why don't you just try it on and see what you think?"

"No! I gon' look like a... I look like a bin bag!" You declare promptly, standing firm on your decision, "I no wearin' it an' ou' can' make me!"

Elle bites her lip to stifle her amusement.

"A big bag?" Leah repeats, baffled, "No, you won't. I think you will look adorable."

You shake your head in disagreement, "No. I won', Mummy! An it be itchy, an' scratchy, an' I be smelly!"

"Smelly?" Monkey snorts in amusement.

"Yeah, I smell 'orrible, like da bin!" You insist.

"Personally, and I'm just saying, my own opinion and all," Monkey begins, exchanging a cheeky grin with Leah, "I think you might as well let her wear the dino costume, cos' otherwise it's gonna end in tears, innit?

"Alright, fine," Leah inwardly groans, "I give in. Bubba, you can wear your dinosaur costume to the party tonight."

"Yeah, I be dino'daur!" You exclaim, practically vibrating with excitement, "An I bring all m' dino'daurs into da living room to show 'eryone!"

"Bubba, no," Leah's eyes widen at the determination in your little voice, "We're not bringing all your dinosaurs into the living room..."

You scrunch your brows together in confusion, "No, ou' listen! I gon' ave' me t-rex, an' me steg'saurus, an' me bron'saurus! I have to show all of 'em!" It's very important, that each one of your dinosaurs gets shown around to everyone at the party tonight.

"You can take a few downstairs to show, but not all of them, alright?" Leah overrules your own decision in a gentle tone of voice, "You have quite a lot now, and we don't want any of them to get broken now, do we?"

You huff in disagreement, "Well den dey should be more careful an' no' stand on 'em!"

"Wha?" Leah blinks in confusion, "Right, Bubba, that's not the point. You can maybe bring one or two downstairs, but no more than that, okay?"

"Why no more? I wan bring 'em all!" You cross your arms over your chest and stomp your foot in protest, "Ou' bein' mean no' lettin' me bring 'em all down! Ou' said I can do dat!"

Leah opens and closes her mouth, baffled by your words, "Since when?"

"Since... Since ou' said so, Mummy!" You insist, stubbornly, "I heard ou' say it! Ou' said I can!" You repeat.

"No, no, I didn't," Leah retorts, shaking her head, "I said you could take a few downstairs, but not all of them."

"But dey all 'ave to come down, or dey be lonely on their own up 'ere!" You exclaim, dramatically throwing your arms up in the air, "Ou' hafta 'ave 'em all!"

"I'm sure there will be just fine upstairs, bubba," Leah chuckles, shaking her head.

You shake your head in disagreement, "I don' think so, Mummy. Ou' might hurt der feelings!"

"Bubba..." Leah looks exasperated, all but ready to give in.

"Cos' ou' can' 'ave one, an' then no 'ave the others," You cut her words short, telling her your over-the-top explanation, "Ou' can' be like meany like dat, Mummy!"

"I'm not... I'm not being mean," Leah mumbles in disbelief.

Needless to say, the conversation ends with you bringing down a whole bucket full of different dinosaurs, and chucking them onto the rug in the living room.

"Auntie Kei!" You exclaim, spotting the woman walk through the living room with her girlfriend, Laura, beside her. " Ou' 'ere!" You don't waste time throwing your tiny arms around her legs.

"Ooh, hello little dinosaur!" Keira coos, scooping you into her arms and squeezing you tightly, "Did you have a good Christmas this year? Did you get spoilt lots and lots?"

"Uh huh, I got lots an' lots of new toys!" You tell her excitedly, flailing your arms in the air for further dramatics, "I' got a dino' costume. See?" You say, motioning to the outfit you're wearing.

"I do, wow," Keira playfully gasps, tickling your sides, "It's very roar-some!"

Leah appears with a drink in hand, "Ah, you guys are here!" She exclaims with enthusiasm, wrapping her free arm around Keira first and then Laura, "I see you met our little dinosaur of the night." She jokes.

"Hiya, Le!" Keira greets her best friend, "We did, and she looks absolutely adorable!"

"Mummy let me choose me outfit me' self!" You declare proudly.

"Yeah... I mean, I did try and sway her mind but well Buddy is very stubborn," Leah begins to explain, "Which I now realise is a trait she has picked up from either me or Jord, apparently."

"Oh, we could have told you that before," Holly chimes in on the conversation, holding another couple of drinks in her hand for Keira and Laura, "Personally, I think she takes after you more than she does Jord, especially when it comes to her stubbornness."

"What? Rude," Leah mumbles before she takes a sip of her drink, "I'm not that stubborn..." She retorts, mocking her offence.

"Sure, you tell yourself that," Keira snickers, thinking otherwise, "Where's the other troublemaker? It's quiet around here."

"Currently chatting Elle's ear off about whether she's watched Shrek or not," Leah explains with a half-amused smile, taking a sip of her drink, "I'm sure she'll be more than happy to see you both though!"

"We're here!" Beth announces, walking through the house with an energetic five-year-old attached to her, "We're not that late are we? Little miss here wanted to choose the perfect outfit to wear."

"No, no, you're just in time," Leah grins, wrapping her free arm around Beth and Viv, before crouching down to Rory's level, "Hi, Roo! Did you have a good Christmas with your Mummy and Mamma?"

"Hi, Auntie Le! I got loads of presents, and friends for Twix as well!" Rory is beaming a great big smile on her face.

"Roo!" You shout in excitement, wriggling in Keira's arms to get down.

Rory's face lights up even more, "Buddy!"

"Let's go an' play!" You are ecstatic to see your own best friend, Rory again, "Put me down' please, Auntie Kei!”

"As you wish, little dino," Keira obliges and sets you back down on the floor.

Beth chuckles, "At least the two of them are happy enough, Roos' been ecstatic about tonight," She tells her, before taking note of your outfit as you are set back down on your feet, "What's with the dinosaur costume? That's an acquired outfit, eh?"

"Let's just say I know which battles to pick, and this battle with my three-year-old, well it's just better to agree to the costume rather than the full-blown meltdown I could have ended up with," Leah explains with a shake of the head.

"Sounds like you've had a fun day then," Viv laughs in amusement.

"Just another day being a parent to a three-year-old," Leah retorts, shaking her head in asperation, "Don't even get me started on the swearing jar, either..."

"Mummy puts' lot of money in der cos' she always sayin' words she shouldn't!" You throw Leah directly under the bus, "An Mama 'ave one now as well!"

"Oh?" Keira arches her eyebrow in amusement.

"Yeah, let's not talk about that," Leah huffs in response, taking another sip of her drink in hand.

"Come on, Roo, let' go an' play!" You impatiently tug on Rory's hand, attempting to drag her over to where you'd thrown all your dinosaurs out, along with the rest of the toys out of your toy box, but there’s is always still room for more, "Mummy say no gettin' all me toys out but I think it fine!"

“Buddy, no more getting any more of your toys out,” Leah calls aloud, shaking her head with an aspirated sigh as she hears the unmistakable clatter of toys being thrown out onto the floor again, “I might as well just talk to myself right now– Buddy, no more, please or people are going to trip over them!”

“Mm, yummy pizza!” You exclaim enthusiastically, rubbing your stomach as you sit cross-legged on the floor, happily munching on a slice, “It good, isn’t it, Roo?” You ask your best friend, your grin as wide as can be.

“Yeah, it’s good!” Rory agrees with a mouthful of pizza, nodding eagerly.

From the corner of the room, Monkey strolls over, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “Hey, munchkins!” She crouches beside you, her gaze fixed on your pizza like a cat watching a mouse, “You enjoyin’ that, little dinosaur?”

“I eatin’ pizza, Monks’!” You beam proudly, completely oblivious to her intentions, “Ou’ can’ have any! It mine!”

Monkey lets out a playful gasp, clutching her chest in mock offence, “What? Not even a single bite of it? I’m starvin’ over here!”

“Nooo!” You cry, clutching your pizza slice to your chest as if it were your most prized possession, “It mine, Monks’. No’ ours'!”

Monkey chuckles, but her hand moves faster than you expect. Before you can react, she pinches the tip of your pizza slice and takes a playful bite.

“Hey!” You squeal, scowling at her as you pull the now-smaller slice away, “Da mean! Dat mine!”

“Mm, it tastes even better when it’s stolen,” Monkey murmurs, licking her fingers with exaggerated satisfaction.

You glare at her, your cheeks puffing out in frustration, “No steal, Monks’. Dat bad!”

“Aw, come on Buddy,” Monkey ruffles your hair with a cheeky grin still plastered on her face, “Sharing is caring!”

“You can’t eat her pizza!” Roo exclaims, giggling as she keeps a tight hold of her own pizza.

“Nooo!” You huff, your voice growing louder in protest, “Mummy!”

“What’s going on in here?” Leah’s voice cuts through the room as she steps in, her hands on her hips, “Why does it feel like you two are always arguing at the minute? What’s happened this time?”

“Oh, hey, Le!” Monkey says, flashing her an innocent smile, “We’re not arguing, honest. We’re bonding! Right, Buddy?”

“Mummy! Monks’ is ‘tupid!” You accuse, pointing an accusatory finger at the teenage girl.

“Whoa,” Leah frowns as she crouches down to your level, “Hey, bubba, we don’t use words like that, do we? It’s nice not.” She tells you, her tone is gentle but still holds a sense of firmness.

“But she is doh! She ate m’ pizza!” You insist, your tiny fingers still directed at Monkey like a prosecutor in court.

Leah pinches the bridge of her nose, glancing up at Monkey, “What did you do that for?”

The teenage girl shrugs, still grinning sheepishly, “In my defence… Well, I guess there is none, but the pizza tasted super good!”

“There’s plenty of pizza left, Menace,” Leah sighs, shaking her head, “You’re only upsetting her when you take her things.”

“Yeah, okay, I didn’t think that one through,” Monkey admits, scratching the back of her neck, “Sorry, Buddy. I didn’t mean to eat your pizza. Am I’ forgiven?”

“No, m’ pizza gone now!” You whine, your bottom lip quivering as you clutch the remains of your slice, “I don’ like ou' right now, Monkey!”

“I’m really sorry for eating it, shrimp,” Monkey looks incredibley guilty about eating the pizza.

Leah strokes your hair gently, “It’s okay, bubba. We can get you another slice, yeah? It’s just pizza, there’s plenty of it.”

“But it’ mine!” You protest, sniffling, “An’ she ate it!”

Monkey’s guilty expression deepens, “Hey, Buddy. I’m really sorry for stealing your pizza,” She says, crouching to your level, “Tell you what–how about I make it up to you with some… lemonade?”

“Fizzy pop?” You ask, your tears momentarily forgotten as curiosity takes over.

“Yeah…” Monkey hesitates, instantly regretting her offer but knowing she’s already said it.

“Yeah!” You exclaim, your face lightening up with excitement.

Leah blinks at Monkey, her disbelief evident, “Are you serious right now? It’s almost 8 pm, Menace!”

Monkey shrugs with a custious smile, “Hey, look how happy she is now! Win-win, right?”

“Unbelievable,” Leah mutters, shaking her head, “You can have one small cup of lemonade, bubba, but no more than that. Just this once, and we’re not telling your Mama about this either, got it?”

“Oou' got it dude!” You beam a wide smile, sticking your thumb up in the air.

It’s inching closer to midnight, but you’re nowhere near tired. You’re sitting cross-legged on the carpet in the living room, surrounded by your toys, stacking blocks and chatting to Rory with endless energy.

“Stack it’ like dat Roo!” You insist.

“This way?” Rory replies in question, gesturing to the green block in her hand.

“Uh huh!” You nod in agreement.

“Come on bubba, time for bed," Leah says softly, holding her hand out to you.

You cross your arms stubbornly, sticking your bottom lip out in defiance, “No' bed. I stay up tonight with all da grown-ups!"

Leah crouches down to your level, tilting her head, "Oh no little miss. You definitely need to get some sleep, or you'll be super grumpy in the morning, won't you?"

"I no like dat. I be fine. I gots to stay awake!" You insist, stomping your foot for emphasis.

Leah bites back a smile, "I think it might be a bit too late for you, bubba," She says, pointing to your drooping eyelids.

"No, I stay 'wake. I wish 'erybody 'appy new year!" You tell her with determination.

"Buddy,” Leah sighs, rubbing her temples, “It's going to be very late, and I might get into trouble with Mama if I let you stay up, and she finds out, hmm?"

You shake your head, "Dat don't matter. I stay up wif everyone else!"

"Bubba--" Leah begins to speak.

"We don' hafta tell her. It 'kay!" You declare confidently.

Leah shakes her head, amused but exasperated, "That's not the point, little miss..."

Keira, lounging on the sofa, chuckles at the exchange, "She's really trying to blag you there," She says, grinning.

"Oh, she definitely is," Leah replies, raising an eyebrow at your mischievous grin.

"I stay up. Deal?" You say, holding out your tiny hand like a seasoned negotiator.

Leah laughs incredulously, "... What? No deal, bubba. Little girls like you can't stay up that late, it's bedtime for a reason, New Year’s Eve or not."

You pout dramatically, "Don' be borin' Mummy. I no like ou' when ou' like dat!"

"Umm excuse me little miss, I'm not boring,” Leah places her hands on her lips, feigning offence, “I am just wanting to make sure you're going to sleep at a reasonable time.”

"Come on Le, what's the harm in letting her stay up late for just tonight? It is New Year’s Eve after all, eh?" Keira chimes in, smirking.

Leah exhales a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I don't know why I even bother," She mumbles, "Fine, but if Jord questions it then it's on you to tell her!"

“It’s fine, I can deal with that,” Keira grins as she gets up off the sofa and scoops you up into her arms, “Come on my little dino, let’s go and find the biscuits in the cupboard!”

“Not too many because it’s near to bedtime– Oh, that went in one ear and out the other. Never mind…”

The living room hums with the warm buzz of conversation and laughter as Keira carries you into the kitchen. Setting you down on the counter, she holds you steady with one hand while rummaging through the cupboard with the other.

“Right then, little dinosaur,” Keira says, peering into the cupboard, “What biscuits do we fancy?”

“Da choc’late ones!” You exclaim, clapping your hands with glee, “Choc’late da bestest!”

Keira chuckles, pulling out a pack of chocolate biscuits and handing one to you, “Chocolate it is. But just one, alright? It’ll be our little secret, yeah?”

You nod eagerly, biting into the biscuit with a big grin, “I no tell! It our ‘ecret!”

Keira winks, popping a biscuit into her own mouth, “Exactly. Our secret.”

By the time midnight was approaching the party was in full swing. Laughter and music filled the room, and you were more determined than ever to prove Leah wrong by staying awake and joining in the celebrations.

Rory had long since succumbed to sleep, her head resting on Viv’s shoulder, but you were still fighting valiantly to keep your eyes open.

As the countdown began, your resolve wavered and you curled up on the sofa, a party hat sat crooked on your head, and a party blower hung limply from your mouth.

“10... 9… 8…” Everyone began to count down in the room.

But you didn’t even make it to one.

The sound of fireworks outside should have been enough to keep you awake, but it was all too much for you it seems.

“I think the partying might’ve been a bit much for her after all,” Holly quips with a grin, gesturing toward your peaceful, sleeping form.

Leah chuckles softly, crossing the room to you, “Oh, bubba,” She coos, carefully tucking a blanket around you. She brushes a stray curl for your forehead, her expression warm and tender, “Happy New Year, my little dinosaur.” She added, pressing a gente kiss to the top of your head, lingering a moment for straightening up.

#monkey #double the trouble fic #leah williamson x reader #woso x reader #woso one shot #scribblesofagoonerr #buddy #chaos fc reader #separate reader #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso community

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