Chapter Text
It had been a grueling game for the Wings.The Chicago sky had about the same record they did, but with teammates shots not falling.The game was harder than it needed to be. They came out with a win, but Paige felt the weight of every minute as she walked toward the waiting fans.
She spotted a smaller girl in the crowd wearing a sparkling tiara and a birthday sash. Paige decided to approach her first.
“Hi, little one, what birthday are you celebrating today?” Paige took the jersey , signing her name in the white numbers as she listened. “It's my 5th birthday, my mom drove me from Austin”.
Paige looked down at the little girl, noting how the little girl looked like the female version of Drew, but with blue eyes–like her. “Yea? That's not too bad of a drive”. Paige said.
“What's your name?I’ll write a note on your jersey since it’s your birthday” The little girl looked up at Paige, with those ocean blue eyes.
“My Names Ariel Madison Bueckers, like yours”.
Paige started at the girl–Ariel, before schooling her expression, it's not like she had children, if anything it was a coincidence. She finished writing a birthday wish on the girls jersey before handing back down and moving to the next fan.”Happy birthday Ariel, thank you for coming”.
Paige watched as the girl slipped through the crowd, then approached who Paige assumed was her mother. Her voice was loud enough for Paige to hear her, even with the noise of the arena around her. “Mommy! I got Mama to sign my birthday jersey, see–she wrote ‘happy birthday Ariel’ on the five, like the number I wear”.
Paige leaned in for a picture with a group of kids, hearing the girl's words. She looked up, and the woman that turned around, was–
“Kianni”. She mumbled to herself, watching as she interacted with her daughter.
A Fifth birthday…Kianni and Paige broke up five years ago.
When Paige arrived at uconn, they were still together, even with long distance being hard as they went to different schools. But when she surprised Paige on her birthday, that had been the last time they'd been together in person.
That week with Kianni was the best of their relationship after they went to college but Paige could admit that she'd gotten cold feet. It was her first season at Uconn and Geno said relationships were distractions. So she ended it, over text. Not the greatest thing to do, but her only other option.
But now…if Ariel was celebrating a fifth birthday, it meant one of two things: Kianni had stepped out on her–or Ariel was hers.And both options made her stomach turn.The week of her nineteenth birthday, when Kianni came to see her, was the last time they were intimate. And Ariel looked like the perfect mix of Drew, Paige and Kianni.
Paige was spiraling as she watched them interact, only snapping out of it when nearby fans' camera flashes caught her eye. She kept signing jerseys,hats and everything else they handed her. But the realization that she could have a child out there, that she wasn't there for,the same way her own mother hadn't been there for her, broke something in her.
★
Kianni hummed along to “Loyalty” as she drove down I-35. Ariel had been for most of the ride home, uncharacteristic considering her daughter usually said whatever came to mind. But she was probably tired. After all, they’d spent the whole day in Dallas for her birthday and now a late night drive home.
They'd just stopped for snacks and a bathroom break, but Kianni still had two more hours until they were home, and Ariel was still staring out the window like it held answers to the world.
“Ariel what's going on back there? Can't sleep?”. Kianni looked up into the rearview as she waited for her daughter's answer
Silence.
Now Kianni was really starting to worry. Did she not like Dallas? Because she begged to see Paige in person. It had taken a while for Kianni to crack, considering that Paige ghosted her after the breakup. Even after she tried reaching out to tell her about Ariel. But she'd do anything for her daughter, even if she hated it.
“Why does Mama not come see me?”
Kianni’s breath caught. She hoped this wouldn't come up. It hadn't been her decision to tell Ariel who Paige was. But Ariel found high school pictures of them at home and at that moment, Kianni hadn't been able to lie.
“Sometimes, people make decisions on what they want in life, and we can't control those decisions”. Kianni stared at the road ahead as she explained herself the best she could, hearing small sniffles, glancing at the mirror to see Ariel wiping her own small tears. “But she loves me right, like you and aunt Sol love me?”
“Of course your Mama loves you like Solana and I, you're the best kid in the world, impossible not to love”.
Kianni hated lying to her daughter, but Paige didn't leave her much of a choice. She'd broken up with her before Kianni even knew she was pregnant. And when she tried to tell her, through Bob, even through Geno Auriemma himself.Geno never responded, and Bob didn't think Ariel was Paige’s.
And Paige? She blocked her.
Kianni only realized after her messages stopped delivering, Ariel’s sonogram sat undelivered in the thread, along with the breakup message above it.
Kianni let out a deep sigh as she stepped on the gas, eager to get back to Austin, where she had built a life worth being proud of.
“If you sleep now, we’ll be home before you know it”.
Ariel pulled the blanket around her and curled into Kianni’s old Texas Longhorns pillow. “Goodnight Mommy, I love you”.
“I love you more Ari”.
★
Paige walked into her downtown Dallas condo and dropped her game day bag on the floor with a thud. She collapsed onto the couch, physically drained.Yeah, she was exhausted, but her mind wouldn’t shut off.
She hadn't seen Kianni in years, not since her freshman year of college. And in those five years she matured so much. Her hair was longer,curlier. But Kianni looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
And then there was the kid.
Ariel.
Her face haunted Paige. She had Paige’s eyes. Her nose. She was lighter than Kianni but darker than Paige, just enough to resemble both of them. But it was the resemblance to Paige’s family that unsettled her the most. Those ocean-blue eyes, the high cheekbones... the unmistakable Bueckers genes. Even her dad and Drew had them. And Ariel had called her Mama. Like she knew.
While Paige was starting her college career, Kianni had been having a baby. Their baby. A baby Paige never got to meet. Never even knew about. But maybe now she could change that.
Ariel mentioned coming from Austin, so Paige had somewhere to start, especially since there probably weren't too many women named Kianni living in Austin in the first place.
Paige emailed her agent, telling her to hire a PI that could at least get Kianni's new address. Then scrolled down further into her messages thread, back to 2020, the last conversation she ever had with Kianni.
The breakup text.
The memory of that text burned. Four years ended with one line and a blinking “read” receipt. She hadn’t even heard Kianni’s voice when she broke her heart. But there was nothing she could do to change the past.
She stared at the thread for a long moment before tapping unblock.
The thread updated.
There were pictures in the thread. Two sonograms and then, a picture of newborn Ariel. Attached was a message that Paige was just now seeing, five years too late.
Paige, this is our daughter Ariel. She was born six pounds, twenty-five inches long.I attached some pictures but I don't think you will ever see them considering you blocked me. But, I had to at least try one more time, for Ariel. She looks just like you, eyes and all. I talked to Bob and Geno but they said you wouldn't want to hear from me, so this is it. I hope you get everything you want from uconn. Ariel and I will be cheering you on.
- With Love, Kianni
Paige’s hand shook as she stared at Kianni's last message and the pictures along with it. Baby Ariel reminded her of the day Drew was born: perfect. July 2nd, 2021. That was her daughter's birthday. And now, five years later, that was all she knew. Her name was Ariel, she lived in Austin. And Paige had missed everything. All she could do now was show up and pray that Kianni would let her in. That there was still time to be part of Ariel’s life. To make up for what she lost. Even if she could never get those years back.
★
It had taken a week for the PI to find Kianni’s address, and in that week Paige had reflected a lot.
She loved basketball, it had always been the first priority, her passion, her focus, she poured her time into it. But somewhere in chasing greatness,she let her fear of failure, especially at uconn,cost her something far more precious.
The breakup with Kianni was her fault, even Paige could admit that. Geno didn't want her distracted, and she didn't fight him on it. That final week, Kianni’s visit for her birthday had been their quiet goodbye. Paige didn’t say it aloud, but she knew. And instead of explaining, she’d ended it with a text.
That silence had cost her five years. Five birthdays. A first word. A first step. A thousand tiny moments she could never get back. She hadn’t just left a relationship, she’d left a whole future behind.
She blinked, grounding herself as the car rolled to a stop in front of a quiet house tucked in a neighborhood in Austin. A wind chime clinked softly in the breeze.
Now, things were different. She had something more important than basketball, a daughter. A family she hadn’t known was waiting. One she had broken, even if it wasn’t on purpose. And no championship could undo that.
But maybe showing up could be the start.
The drive had taken three and a half hours. But Paige had already been gone far longer than that. She had to try.
Her driver pulled into a quiet driveway of a suburban neighborhood in Austin. “Miss Bueckers, do you want me to wait outside?” the driver asked.
Paige took a deep breath, steadying herself. She didn't even know if Kianni would let her in.
“Wait outside for me unless I text you.”
She stepped out of the car and walked to the front door. A UT Austin flag fluttered softly in the yard. She knocked, then rang the doorbell.
The world fell silent as she waited.
Then footsteps. The turn of the lock, and the door creaked open.
Kianni started at Paige, and Paige stared at Kianni.
“I got your message,” Paige said quietly.
“I'm really sorry…I know I'm late. Can I come in?”
Kianni hesitated, then stepped back, opening the door wider.
“Thank you” Paige whispered as she stepped inside.
The house smelled like vanilla and flowers. The foyer wall was covered in pictures of Ariel, Kianni and even some old ones of Paige from high school.
“What are you doing here Paige”. Kianni sighed.
“I saw you at my game in Dallas, you had a little girl with you, Kianni she looks just like me. How could I not come?I had to”.
Kianni scoffed, brushing past Paige and walking deeper into the house. Noon on a workday, and of course Paige found a way to ruin her lunch break.
“You’re five years late Paige, why would you care now?”
Paige started at the picture on the wall. Ariel and Kianni looked so happy, and she’d missed all of it. ”Because I didn't fight for you when I should have. I let basketball be my priority, I let other people make decisions for me, I won't do it again Kianni and I'm so sorry I left you alone.” She swallowed, her voice catching as she stared at the photos.
“I saw our daughter for the first time, and I missed so much. But I'm not here to fix the past Kianni, I just want a chance to be in her future and yours, if you let me”.
Paige wiped at her eyes,trying to keep herself together as the weight of everything she’d lost hung in front of her.
Kianni stood still, her arms crossed tightly around her chest as she stared at Paige.
The anger still simmered in her chest for the way Paige had ended things with her. But this wasn't about Kianni, it was about Ariel.
“You left me alone, Paige,” she said. “And you never even told me why.” She glanced at the little unicorn slippers by the door.
“But you’re not here for me anyways,” Kianni added. “So I guess it doesn’t matter.” She sighed. Her voice softened, but her words were clear.
“She deserves to know you. “ Kianni turned and walked toward the kitchen.
“I pick her up from summer camp in an hour. Don’t make me regret this.”
★
Paige's driver had waited like she told him, and Paige wanted some time to talk to Kianni before getting Ariel in the car.
There was likely nothing she could do to get Kianni to want her back but she had to at least try. Something.
Her parents divorce had wrecked her when she was younger. She would never forget the arguing and violence before the divorce. Or how her own mother abandoned her after it. And the last thing Paige wanted was for her daughter to experience the same thing she did growing up.
A broken home and one parent, she promised herself that if she had children that it would be the right way, with commitment and love. But now the silence between Kianni and Paige was deafening. Because Kianni wouldn't even look her way and Paige was starting to feel that she lost her family before she got the chance to even have it.
“Kianni, I know you've probably moved on. But I need you to know,I Iove you, and I never stopped loving you, I know I fucked up. But if you're willing to give me a chance, I want to try again. I want to be here, for you and Ariel”.
She glanced at Paige before turning back to the window.”You left me Paige, that kind of hurt doesn't just go away. Ariel is a good kid, but some days were impossible”. She took a deep breath.
“She deserves more than two parents who can be cordial, but I don't know if we can fix our relationship, It's going to take time, and you have to prove you want this, and I mean it…I know what your parents were like, but you can't come back because you don't want to be your mom. You need to be here out of love, not because you hate what happened to you. I'm not saying no, but it needs to be because you actually want this family".
Paige's throat tightened as she listened. “I don't blame you for not trusting me. I'm not here because I feel guilty, I love our daughter and I love you. And I will do whatever I need to do to prove it. I'm not asking for you to believe me but at least give me the chance”. The silence that followed wasn’t hostile, just thick with everything neither of them could fix in a single conversation. Paige stared down at her hands, the skin at her knuckles tight from how hard she was holding them together.
Beside her, Kianni said nothing. But she didn’t pull further either. The car rolled on in quiet understanding. When they finally pulled up in front of the camo, the muted chatter of children on a nearby playground filtered in through the windows. The sound was soft, almost distant, like the world hadn’t just shifted.Kianni reached for the door handle without looking back at Paige.
“I’ll go get her.” Paige nodded, her voice caught in her throat. “Okay.” And then Kianni stepped out, closing the door behind her with a careful kind of finality. Not slamming it. Not hurrying. Just..giving herself the space she needed. Paige leaned back into her seat, watching her go. Her driver said nothing, wisely reading the room.
A few minutes passed in silence, then the doors swung open, and there she was. Ariel burst out first, curly ponytail bouncing with each excited step, her little backpack swinging wildly behind her. She was mid-skip, clutching a paper in one hand like it was a trophy. “Mama! Mommy said you were picking me up today!”
Paige barely had time to react before Ariel flung the car door open and launched herself inside, crawling across the seat and into Paige’s lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I drew a picture of us!” she announced, thrusting the crayon-colored page into Paige’s hands.Paige blinked fast, caught between laughter and tears.
The drawing was exactly what you’d expect from a five-year-old, three stick figures holding hands, a sun in the corner, and “MOMMY,” “MAMA,” and “ME” written in uneven letters above their heads.
She looked down at Ariel, who was beaming up at her like she hung the moon. “You like it?”“I love it,” Paige said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Ariel’s ear. “It’s perfect.”
Kianni was climbing into the car now, a slower step behind her daughter, watching with an unreadable expression ,not cold, but cautious. Ariel, still full of energy, turned between them.
“Can we go get ice cream? Mommy said maybe, and now Mama’s here too, so maybe it is yes now!”
Paige glanced at Kianni, heart hammering. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. Kianni sighed, then gave a small, reluctant smile as she buckled her seatbelt.
“One scoop.” Ariel cheered,throwing her hands in the air.And for the first time, the air in the car felt just a little lighter.
★
The ice cream spot Paige's driver took them to was small, family owned, with a wallpaper of sprinkles,cones and a chalkboard menu of the flavors. The perfect place for a young kid.
“Mama, the birthday cake is the bes t flavor” she said, tugging Paige to the counter. Paige couldn't stop staring at Ariel as she chattered and explained what flavors she did or didn't like. Ariel called her ‘Mama’ casually and it made her heart hurt.
Kianni was behind them, still reserved as she looked at the menu but at least she hadn't left. After ordering their ice cream, all get a birthday cake at Ariel's insistence. Paige listened as Ariel explained her day and how her classmates sang happy birthday to her the week before while eating her icecream. Which was now smeared along her face.
She didn't want to overstep but she handed Ariel wet napkins to clean her face as she listened to her daughter. Then a voice cut through the chatter.
“Wait.. Paige Bueckers?” A group of teens approached their table, phones in hand, voices loud and getting the attention of others in the shop. “Paige, we love you so much, can we get a picture?Please!”
Paige froze. Kianni shot her a warning glare and Ariel shifted closer to Paige before Paige stood slowly, pushing Ariel behind herself. “Hey guys I really appreciate your support but I’m with my family right now”.
The kids took a step back."We're so sorry,we didn't mean to–”. Paige softened her tone, recognizing that they were just kids.” It's okay, another time, I promise”.
The group lowered their phones before backing off and retreating to the section they had came from. Paige returned to their table, her heart pumping as she realized how quickly people could approach her family if they recognized them.
“Im sorry, I didn't think I would be recognized here”. Kianni shrugged as she took a scoop of her own ice cream. “You’re the celebrity here Paige. Ariel didnt ask for this, it's up to you to handle your fans”
Paige nodded as she processed what Kianni had said. A moment passed then Ariel offered Paige some of her ice cream as Paige had already finished her own. “Mama do you want some more?” Paige smiled.
“I'd love some”.
★
Pbuckets: Just saw Paige Bueckers in Austin with some lady and a kid
BucketsforLife: Am I tripping or is that kid literally Paige's Twin?
BueckersAndFudd: That's probably her friend chill
WingsFly: Guys lets respect their Privacy
Pazzi4Life : Picture Attached - Nothing about this looks platonic, who looks at a friend like that?Is she cheating on Azzi
SkiesP: No way Paige would hide a whole family are yall forreal. Don't be delusional
CCisbetter:Of course she would pander with a black kid
I<3PB: I recognize that lady from the hopkins era i swear
HopkinsP: That girl was in the slam documentary, im not crazy
GoWings: *Video attached* ran into Paige Bueckers in Austin, what a crazy day.
➥Buckets4Life: No way thats not her kid, literally twins
UnderdogWnba: Paige Bueckers (personal) ruled out for Thursday and Saturday.
➥WingsFly: Does this mean the rumors are true?
➥Pbuckets: This doesnt confirm anything