Chapter Text
The last match was won, they finally did it. Ted had of course done what he promised and won the whole fucking thing, but now, with his 3 year contract up, he had decided to return to Kansas to be with his son and try and sort out his life there. He had told her all of this just an hour ago when they had met in her office to debrief and discuss his future at Richmond. He had kissed her on the cheek for the first time before he hugged her softly goodbye and left. She hadn’t moved from the sofa since.
Her eyes were slightly glazed as she stared at the half-full glass of water he had left on her coffee table, the condensation forming a puddle on its marble surface.
Keeley arrived with a bottle of champagne and found her staring off into space. “Rebecca, You alright?” when she received no response she got down on her knees and waved a hand in front of her face. “Rebecca? Are you havin’ a stroke?”
Rebecca blinked and shook her head, coming back to reality “Oh. Sorry Keeley, I’m fine”
“No you’re not, what’s up?”
“Ted was here. He’s decided to go back to Kansas. Today.”
“Oh shit I know, Roy just told me, I’m so sorry Rebecca.” She kicked off her shoes and sat beside her friend, getting to work on the foil at the top of the champagne bottle and popping the cork.
“I don’t know why it’s hit me so hard, I knew it was a possibility but I just…” Keeley gave her a knowing smile, handing her a very full glass of champagne.
“You weren’t ready to say goodbye?” She said quietly, watching her friend’s face.
“No.” Rebecca’s eyes started to fill with tears she refused to shed. “I suppose I didn’t think he would actually leave….”
“Before you had a chance to tell him…” Keeley took a sip of her champagne, acting innocent.
“Tell him what?” Rebecca looked over at her friend with genuine confusion,
“Come on Rebecca… You haven’t dated anyone since Sam, I see the way you two look at each other, the way you take care of each other…” Keeley had suspected the two of them had a mutual crush for months but she wasn’t 100% sure and she didn't want to push it. The time to wait and see was over.
Rebecca was staring at the glass on the table again, her brow furrowed. She took a large sip of her drink.
“So what exactly did he say?” Keeley probed, gently.
“Well, he said it with lots of Ted-isms but essentially he feels that the team don’t need him any more, that Roy and Beard will do just fine without him, and that he feels like he has to go be a father for a while, unless I could give him a reason to stay…” Keeley had just taken another sip and spluttered slightly at that last part, spitting some of her drink over herself.
“Oh God I’ve made a huge mistake haven’t I.” Rebecca stood, downed the rest of her champagne and slammed down the empty glass on the coffee table then started gathering her things, shoving her handbag under her arm as she picked up her phone to call her driver. Keeley put on her shoes quickly shouting with excitement “Shit! Wait for me!”
“Hello, Edward. Yes. I need to get to the airport right now….....You’ll be how long?? You can’t do any better?” she looks at her watch as she strides toward the door. “Alright then, do your best.” When she reaches the car park she looks at her watch again as though she could have magically made up time on the short walk.
“Fuck.” She curses loudly.
“I can drive you!” Keeley cheers as she runs out of the building behind her “But fuck, my car isn’t here, Roy dropped me off so we could get sloshed.” They look around the car park. Colin’s bright green Lamborghini is sitting right in front of them and the girls look at the car and then back at each other for a moment.
“I’ll go get his keys.” Keeley runs back in, headed for the locker room. Rebecca texts her driver and tells him not to bother to come as she walks around to the passenger side of the ridiculous green beast. God, it’s so low she feels she’s going to look like some kind of spider-clown getting in and out of it.
“Got them!” Keeley shouts as she bursts back out of the door, pressing the unlock button so that Rebecca can start getting in. Colin is on her heels giving her instructions about how the car should be driven, frantic about how much it cost him and telling her that she may not be able to handle its power.
“Oh I’ve driven a Lambo before Colin, It’s gonna be fiiiine!” she gives him a quick peck on the cheek “Thank you, you’re our hero!” The 2 women get in.
“Be gentle.” Colin sighs in defeat as Keeley starts the car, revving it for effect.
“Hey, if I crash it I promise Rebecca will pay you back, yeh?” she throws Colin a wink as she puts her foot down and they scream out of the car park, Rebecca holding on for dear life.
“Right so what are you gonna say to Ted?” Keeley asks as she speeds through the quiet streets of Richmond, the car is ridiculously large and low and the streets are narrow and rough but she is a surprisingly good driver. Rebecca was pressed back, clinging to her seat for the first few minutes but she sits up slightly at the question. She hasn't thought that far ahead.
“God I don’t know. What do you think I should say?” She frets at her lip, looking at the time on her phone again.
“You’ve gotta give him one of those big romantic speeches, like in a romcom yeah? You know he fucking loves them.” Keeley grins as she takes a corner insanely fast, the rear end of the car spinning out slightly. Keeley laughs as though she’s having the time of her life.
“I can’t actually say I’ve seen that many.” Rebecca admits “Maybe a few here and there.” She suddenly regrets not attending all of those movie night sleepovers Keeley had suggested.
“Well actually, first thing’s first, you’re gonna need a ticket to get through to departures. I know they do it in all the fucking movies but if you go up to the counter at the airport it will take FOREVER. What time is his flight?”
“ummm. Ah, I think he said 4 O’Clock.” “Fuck Rebecca it’s already after 3! I hope the traffic doesn’t get worse when we get closer.” Rebecca gets out her phone and starts booking a flight, all she can think to do is book 2 tickets on a flight to Wales so she doesn’t have to go through customs. The Traffic is thankfully quite good, everyone must be off picking up their children from school and off the highways. She says a little thank you to the traffic gods as she bites her lip, looking at her phone over and over hoping time will slow.
“So what are you gonna say?” Keeley glances over at Rebecca who is staring out of the window looking panicked.
“I suppose I’ll just say what I’m feeling.” She looks across at her friend “I don’t want to lose him, Keeley.”
“I know babe. I’m sorry I didn’t help you realise sooner.” she reaches for her friend’s hand and grips it tightly. “You’ve got this.”
“I hope so.” Rebecca says quietly to herself as she looks out the window – the airport is the next turn off and her heart is pounding.
It’s 3:32 when they pull up to departures, They both clamber out of the low vehicle, Rebecca straightens her hair and her skirt and strides toward the airport parking director who is yelling something about both of them not being able to leave the car and that it’s only 5 minute parking. “If you let us leave the car here so I can go and stop my friend from leaving I will pay you $1000 pounds.” She cuts him off, not breaking stride.
“Right you are then,” The guard gives her a small salute and stands aside.
Keeley totters along beside her, trying to match her large, purposeful stride. They head to the counter to check in, quickly bypassing the main line having wisely purchased first class tickets, then head through security. They pause for a moment, stopping to read the 9 departure screens above their heads.
“Gate 62?!” She looks at the signs directing them to the different gates. “Fucking hell the flight would be leaving from the gate at the arse end of the airport wouldn’t it.” she shakes her head as they quickly start walking in that direction as fast as they can with Rebecca in stiletto heels and Keeley in large chunky platforms.
An announcement comes over the loudspeaker: Flight DA1701 to Kansas City is about to commence boarding from Gate 62. All Passengers please head to gate 62 and prepare for boarding. They are only at gate 44. Rebecca stops, looks over at Keeley, and bends down to remove her shoes. Keeley follows suit, takes Rebecca’s from her arms, and they begin to run. Pushing past slow walkers, sliding around corners in their tights, swearing and cackling, they run as fast as their legs will carry them, finally sighting gate 62 at the end of the thoroughfare.
“Oh thank fucking god.” Rebecca pants as they continue.
Flight DA1701 to Kansas city is now boarding, All passengers please have your boarding passes ready for scanning.
“NO.” Rebecca speeds up again, her stockings slipping on the tiled floor.
“We’re so close!” Keeley pants. “Gimme your bag!” Rebecca shoves her large handbag over at Keeley and keeps running. “You’ve got this Rebecca! Get your man!” Keeley slows and to a walk, juggling both of their shoes and Rebecca’s bag along with her own. She watches her beautiful Blonde friend push through the crowd to the gate, fingers crossed firmly that they’re not too late.
“Ted!?” She pants as she arrives at the back of the line of people boarding the plane. “TED LASSO!?” she can barely catch her breath to yell for him as she frantically searches the crowd for his familiar brown hair.
“Boss?” She hears from her left, his voice cutting through the rabble like a beacon.
“Oh Ted! Thank God.” She tries to catch her breath. He is looking at her with a mix of Confusion and amusement, his brow crinkled in that adorable way it does when he has no idea what's going on. He has his little travel pillow around his neck and is wearing his usual Khaki’s with a Richmond jumper.
“Are you ok Rebecca?” he leans down so he can catch her eye as she bends over at the waist, hands on her knees, trying to slow her breathing.
“Yes I will be I just… Ran a fucking mile, Why did you have to be at the last bloody gate.”
He smirks slightly, “Well I’m sorry ‘bout that,” he smiles, “Had I known you wanted to see me off I would have asked for a closer one.” He gives her a smile which she returns, finally starting to breathe more normally. “Do you need to sit down?” he gestures at the chairs nearby.
“No no, I’m fine.” She tries to collect herself. Suddenly feeling silly standing there barefoot, thinking she must look a sight after running in an outfit that very much was not made for it.
Keeley arrives at the gate but stays back behind a large pillar, watching them from far enough away that she can hear their conversation but not close enough that Ted knows she’s there.
“Ted I’m sorry.” Rebecca says to him earnestly. “I don’t know the perfect thing to say…. And I know were you in my place you would know, but I don’t.” she shakes her head, absent-mindedly fixing her hair and straightening her outfit, trying to stem her nerves with the familiar gestures.
“Well I guess it’s lucky I never need perfect, Boss, just your best is fine with me.”
“Thank you Ted.” She smiles and takes a step closer to him. “What I wanted to say, and should have said earlier is…” she hesitates for a moment. His expression is so pure, his eyes looking into hers hopefully. “I don’t want to see you off.” she stumbles over her words, which is unlike her.
“Oh. Uhhh, were you here for someone else?” he smirks slightly, enjoying her being slightly flummoxed.
“No. Shit, no that’s not what I mean. I don’t want you to miss out on Henry’s childhood but… I also don’t want to let you go.” She purses her lips, eyes threatening to spill over once again.
“Don’t want me to go, like… ever? Or just today?”
“It occurs to me that I might… have thought of a reason for you to stay.” Her heart pounds as she meets his eyes. He licks his lips nervously, glancing over at the door to the plane as the line thins out.
“You givin’ me a raise?” he smiles at her, he won’t make the first move, too scared of rejection if she doesn’t mean what he thinks she means.
“Oh for fucks sake Ted.” Keeley whispers to herself from behind the pole.
A final boarding announcement comes over the speaker as they stare at each other, Rebecca’s chest heaving with anticipation. “Oh fuck it.” Rebecca reaches out and grabs the front of his jumper and pulls him toward her, kissing him deeply, barely noticing the loud squeal from Keeley that comes from behind her. She never would have thought 3 years ago that this ridiculously kind man would change everything about her, but he has, and this moment is case and point.
They break apart and slowly open their eyes. “Well uh. That is certainly a pretty convincing reason.” Ted grins, his eyes unfocussed. Their bodies still pressed against each other, He begins to feel slightly ridiculous still having a neck pillow on and quickly removes it, dropping it on top of his backpack at his side.
“Rebecca I really want this. I think I Have really wanted this for, hooo (he whistles) oh a good long while now, but I promised Henry I’d be back for his big game so I don’t want to miss this flight.” he talks endlessly, unable to stop himself. She puts a hand on his chest gently.
“It’s OK Ted. I understand. ” she nods,
“But can we like… Put a pin in this? Like. A big one? With a fuckin’ bell on it or something because wow, darlin’ you’ve got me spinnin’ here. I can’t believe this.” She grins at him as his voice gets louder and says gently. “Of course Ted. You need to be there for Henry.”
“But I’ll come straight back I promise.”
“You don’t have to rush, Ted” She reaches for his hands . “Take your time.”
“You are worth rushing for Rebecca, Man, I think I’ve been waiting for you to do that for 3 years. I can't believe it finally happened” He shakes his head in disbelief, “What made you come herefor me today?” he looks into her eyes, his own wide with adrenaline and nerves.
“Well…” She begins, and suddenly she knows exactly what to say, a line from her favourite Rom-com springs to mind and she knows that he’ll know it…She smiles at him lovingly.
“I came here today because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” His eyes well up slightly as he stares at her, speechless. Then he closes the space between them and kisses her again.
“Did you really just 'When Harry met Sally' me?” he grins at her, face showing the joy he's feeling clear as day
“Maybe.” She smiles back at him, blushing.
“Wow. You really are perfect.”
A very pointed Final boarding call announcement comes over the speaker, naming one Theodore Lasso and asking him to come to the gate NOW.
“Ugh, damn it I don’t really wanna leave you right now, where are your shoes? Are you gonna be OK?” he looks around, suddenly concerned as they edge toward the plane doors hand in hand.
“I’m fine Ted. Keeley’s here.” She tilts her head in the direction of the petite blonde and Keeley gives him a little wave. He can see her mascara is smudged from crying happy tears.
“I don’t wanna leave it like this but I will come back after this weekend OK? I’ll make it work, you just. You hold that thought alright?”
“OK Ted.” She chuckles as she squeezes his hand and then lets it drop.
“I can’t believe this is happening and I have to get on a damn PLANE! I’m never gonna get any sleep, dang it!” He makes her laugh as he starts to walk away. He gives the flight attendant his boarding pass without taking his eyes off her, shaking his head. “Just one more time” He quickly ducks back across to kiss her again then lets out a final shaky breath and runs for the door.
“I’ll see you real soon Rebecca Welton you hear me? And I’ll call you when I land, and Facetime you from the game and...” the flight attendants usher him through the door with angry looks and slam it closed on him mid sentence as Rebecca laughs through tears she has finally allowed to fall.
“Oh you ridiculous man.” She grins, shaking her head. Keeley approaches from behind her.
“You alright?” she loops her arm through Rebecca’s and they walk over to the window to look out at the plane. She sees one person frantically moving through the tiny windows, Ted, as he rushes to his window seat to wave across at them. They wave back quietly as they watch the plane reverse and disappear.
“Well. That was a bit of an adventure.” Keeley Grins up at Rebecca, “We better go get some money out for that parking guy on the way back, yeh? And maybe a bottle of something from Duty free for Colin, he’s gonna be shittin’ bricks.” Rebecca chuckles as they turn and start walking back toward the car, leaving their shoes off for the long walk back because why not, her stockings are already ruined.
....