AN: Thank you so much for your reviews guys. I appreciate all of the reviews. They mean so much and I jump for joy...literally...when I see I have one. Anyway thanks for your reviews, they mean so much and it's what keeps me going. Enjoy, read, and of course review!
As Sasha stood on top of the small deck he surveyed the gymnasts hard at work. He watched as the elite girls stretched before heading towards different directions. He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes as Kaylie made her way over towards the beam. He waited to see if she would actually get on and when she did his blood began to boil. His voice carried out throughout the whole gym making everyone stop and stare.
"Get down from there." He watched as Kaylie wobbled, ever-so-slightly before locking eyes with him. When she didn't move he scowled. "NOW!"
At the sound of Sasha's loud voice, Kaylie lightly hopped of the beam before trotting over towards him. "Sasha I was just-"
He interrupted her with a desperate plea that seemed to fall on deaf ears. "Kaylie I told you not to work on skills, just the basic strength elements and I meant it. You're not ready for World's."
Kaylie sighed before trying a different tactic. "But Sasha, my therapist and doctors say I'm ready. I don't see why-"
Sasha interrupted her well thought out speech with his own reasoning. "Because Kaylie. I don't want you getting hurt again. When I said you wasn't ready for World's I meant mentally as well as physically."
Kaylie huffed before slowly nodding. "Okay...I trust you Sasha."
Sasha nodded as he watched Kaylie slowly slink away towards the water cooler. He sighed before searching the gym again. He watched the entrance as if expecting someone to be walking in, but no one came. At least the person he was expecting to walk through the door never showed up. Why would she when she quit her job as co-manager and took Becca away from gymnastics, because of him and Payson? He was unsurprised when Kim called Summer telling her that Becca wouldn't be training at The Rock anymore. He expected it really. After all, he wouldn't want his daughter training with a coach that was in a relationship with another gymnast either, but then again, he didn't really have much room to talk or judge. He sighed as he ran a hand frustratingly through his hair. He turned towards the vault when he heard Kelly and Lauren's voices echoing across the gym. He rolled his eyes as he made his way over to play referee. He smirked when his sarcastic voice made the two squabbling gymnasts jump and turn towards him.
"I have a brilliant idea ladies. How about you show me your skills instead of tearing into each others throats and let me be the judge of whose got the better skills at the moment."
He smirked when Lauren strutted angrily towards the end of the runway, leaving an irritated Kelly in her wake. He stood off to the side as he watched Lauren run to the vault and hit the spring board with as much strength as she could muster. He smiled proudly as she landed solidly on her feet. As she walked by he rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Fantastic Lauren! If you keep this up you may just medal in this event at World's and I have just the routine to help you get there."
Lauren smiled as she walked towards the water cooler, making sure to prance by Kelly on her way. Sasha sighed as he signaled Kelly to start her run. He watched as she landed solidly and nodded approvingly when she turned towards him.
"Good job Kelly, just make sure you tighten up your muscles a little more. Other than that, great job."
Kelly scowled briefly before nodding and walking towards the beam. Sasha watched her go with narrowed eyes, knowing that she was up to something, but deciding to disregard it for the time being. As he glanced at the clock he sighed in relief when he saw that it was time to go. Even though Payson was just in the airstream resting, he still felt anxious about leaving her there by herself in case she needed him. He knew she could handle herself, but since Payson's mom forced her out of the house her morning sickness has been getting worse. Shaking his head to get away from Payson-land, he stepped up on the small deck and called everyone to order.
"I need all of the National team members, to gather 'round." He waited until all members were in front of him before continuing. "These next three day are national practices, but they are also an audition for those of you who are not on the World's team. As you know one of the elite girls has left the team because..." Sasha paused trying to figure out how to say what he wanted, without discrediting Payson or blaming their baby. He sighed before continuing, "because she has another more meaningful dream. She chose a life outside of competitive gymnastics for something much more precious to her than any gold medal. So I want all of you to work your hardest and show me what you can do these next three days, because by the end of the week I'm choosing two of you to take up the two remaining spots on the World's Team."
As Sasha watched them leave he couldn't help, but feel slightly relieved. As he slowly made his way back to his office he turned off the overhead lights in the main gym. He grabbed his jacket and keys before exiting the gym and locking it. He made his way in the small trailer and his eyes searched for Payson. His brows furrowed in confusion when she wasn't in the bed or in the small bathroom. It was when he was walking back towards the kitchen that he noticed a note in her small handwriting. He sighed in relief when she said she was just going to Spruce Juice with Emily, Kaylie, and Austin and that she'd be back in a little while.
As he tossed the note in the trash he smirked as he made his way over to the bed. He leaned down and pulled open the drawer that contained in his opinion, the Holy Grail. He pulled out the black book as he stretched himself out on the bed. He flipped it open and smirked at the tittle, before noticing a sticky note on the edge of the paper. He rolled his eyes at Austin's handwriting.
Thought you may need this information in a few months when Payson can't...bend. Don't tell her about this book or you and I are both screwed and not in a good way. AT
Sasha rolled his eyes again before tearing up the sticky note and putting it on the small table by the bed. He curiously opened up the book and grinned at the table of contents. Skipping over all the information he knew from past...encounters and partying days, he went straight to the back of the book where comfortable positions and techniques for the second and third trimester were listed. When he came across an interesting technique involving his hands, mouth, and ice he made a mental note to stock up on ice cubes. Sasha smirked when he found tips on ways to involve each other in the pregnancy as well.
As Sasha alternated between reading his book and watching the clock he started to feel anxious. As the numbers on the clock indicated it was ten-thirty, Sasha heard movement outside. He hastily swung his legs over the bed and shoved the book in the drawer on the nightstand, just as Payson came through the door. She dropped her purse on the small table before slowly slowly removing her shoes. As she made her way towards the bed she slowly began to strip. Seeing how tired she was Sasha decided not to comment. As Payson crawled under the covers, Sasha changed into lounge pants before joining her.
He looked down and felt Payson's silky blonde hair tickle his bare chest. He slowly trailed his hands from her shoulder to her slightly swollen abdomen. His hot breath tickled her ear as he whispered in the dark. "So how are Kaylie, Emily, and Austin?"
Sasha didn't miss the slight hesitation in her response. "They're good, just talking about preparing for World's and the daily happenings at The Rock."
Sasha couldn't help, but feel like there was something Payson wasn't telling him. He pushed it aside, putting it off as her pregnancy hormones finally getting the best of her. As she rolled over on her side with her back facing him, he knew that he wasn't imagining things. He sighed before wrapping his arms around her and he sighed in relief when she relaxed in his embrace. Before sleep overtook him, he leaned over and brushed his lips against her forehead telling her silently that he loved her.
The next morning, Sasha reluctantly made his way into the gym leaving a sick and tired Payson behind. For most of the practice things ran smoothly, until towards the end. He was sitting at the edge of a mat, looking over Lauren and Emily's DOD's when Kelly come up to him discreetly sitting close to him. He glanced up and groaned when she leaned over towards him. The only woman to get physically close to him and it not involving gymnastics was Payson so he leaned back a little out of her reach, but he smiled so she would hurry up and say what she needed.
"Can I help you Kelly?"
Sasha didn't miss the light in her eyes when she bit her lip. "Yea actually. I'm...worried about Kaylie. You see, her and some of the gymnasts are planning on sneaking in The Rock tonight to practice with Kaylie. Just wanted to let you know so no one would get hurt or anything."
As quickly as she appeared, she disappeared and made her way towards the uneven bars. Sasha watched her go with a mixed expression. He wanted her to be lying, he really did, because he didn't want to believe that Kaylie or any of his other gymnasts would go behind his back and blatantly disrespect him. As he tried to concentrate on helping the other gymnasts and narrowing down the athletes who would compete for the open spots, his mind kept on wondering to what Kelly said to him.
As he dismissed the gymnasts for the night, he made his way into the office to grab his jacket. Once the lights were shut off and the gym was locked, he made his way towards the airstream when he noticed that Payson's car was gone. He sighed as he made his way into the airstream and towards the back of the trailer. He dropped his jacket on the bed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He laid back trying to clear his mind of the day's events before falling into a restless sleep. His eyes popped open as he woke up abruptly to the sound of rain hitting the roof. He sat up and rubbed a hand over his face before glancing at the clock. His eyes narrowed when he saw the time. Without really knowing why, he pulled his brown jacket on before grabbing the keys to the gym on his way out the door. When he saw Max, Austin, Emily, and Kaylie's cars in the parking lot he knew exactly what he would find. As he quietly made his way into the shadows of the gym he listened at the conversation. His heart broke when he heard Payson's voice carry throughout the empty gym.
"Kaylie, when he sees you do this he's going to realize he's made a mistake."
Sasha stiffened his stance and tried to get in touch with his coaching persona before stepping into the light and interrupting their impromptu work out session. "And tell me, what mistake am I making exactly?"
The group of five turned towards him as he stalked closer towards them. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take you all off the team."
Kaylie cringed before stepping forward. "Sasha we can explain."
"Explain what? How every single one of you blatantly disrespected me or how you went behind my back and did the one thing I told you not to do? I want all of you to pack your things and go home."
Sasha turned towards the exit and stopped when Max and Austin was blocking his exit. He rolled his eyes before staring daggers at them. "Really? Are you two serious?"
Austin being closer to Sasha spoke up and tried to diffuse the tension. "Look, Sasha, yes it was wrong for me to break in the gym, but please, at least listen to what Kaylie has to say."
Sasha sighed before turning back to Kaylie, Payson, and Emily with steely eyes. "Well?"
Kaylie bit her lip before stepping forward. "Look I just want to show you that I can do this. I'm ready to compete again. I know all the skills and routines that you gave everyone else. Just let me show you. Then if you still don't think I'm ready, I'll back off...please, just one chance.."
Sasha stared at Kaylie and couldn't help, but see the desperate plea in her eyes. He tightened his jaw before striding forwards. "One routine on one apparatus, only. Then you all are out of here."
Kaylie breathed in deep, before going to the chalk bowl. Sasha watched as she walked over to the uneven bars and watched as she preformed one of the most flawless routines he's seen her do. As she came over to him he smiled lightly before nodding.
"I have to admit Kaylie, that, that was one of the most flawless routines I have ever seen from you to date," he paused before continuing, "but Kaylie, I still don't think you're ready."
Sasha glanced at everyone else and nodded towards the door. "Now go home. I've watched and listened to Kaylie like you've requested, now pack up your things and get out of here."
Sasha sighed as he shoved the door of the gym open with more force than necessary causing the door to bang against the gray brick. He stormed into the trailer and paced, waiting for Payson to come back. He only had to wait a few minutes before she stepped into the trailer. She gazed at the floor before slowly making her was over to the bed. Sasha watched her as she nervously made her way over to him.
His voice was quiet, but spoke volumes of the betrayal he felt. "Why? Why did you go and help Kaylie, knowing what I've told her, knowing what could happen to her if she fell?"
Payson bit her lip before staring at the floor. "Because Sasha. You've lost one gymnast on the World's team and you shouldn't loose another. Kaylie is ready Sasha. You just have to have faith in her, just like you had faith in me. You're playing it safe and you can't do that in this sport. No risk, no reward. Remember?"
Sasha rolled his eyes before looking back at Payson. "Yea I remember. Payson that still doesn't answere my question."
"Kaylie deserves a shot and chance at the Olympics, even if I don't. She shouldn't have to miss the Olympics because she missed six weeks of practice trying to get her life back together. Six weeks is easier to train from than forty weeks."
Sasha's head snaps up at Payson's implications. "Payson...is this about the baby?"
Payson smiled as she placed one hand over her abdomen and the other hand on his rough cheek. "No. It's not about the baby. I'm choosing to have this baby...our baby. There's nothing more precious than the life of our baby Sasha. I know what I'm giving up when I chose to have this baby and I don't regret it. Everything I've went through has brought me to you. I wouldn't change anything. I love you Sasha...so much."
Sasha looks up and sees the tears and he curses her hormone levels. He cups her face with both hands before before resting his forehead against hers. "I love you to Payson. In a way, I think I've loved you since I first met you. There was always something about your focused passionate spirit that drew me in. I can't see my life without you, draga."
Sasha leaned in and kissed her before sinking down on his knees and lifting up Payson's shirt to reveal a slightly swollen abdomen. He stared in Payson's eyes as he ran his hands over the tiny bulge. He smiled before pressing a gentle kiss to the place where his unborn baby lay. "I love you to little draga. Tata este aici."
As they lay in each others arms, Sasha made another life changing decision that would affect everyone around.
Translations:
Tata este aici -Daddy's here
Draga – love, dear, sweetheart
AN2: So Sasha talked to the baby...I wish he would do that with me...alas I am not Payson, nor will I ever be...oh well. So Kaylie totally tried to proove Sasha wrong. Will he change his mind? What about that life changing decision Sasha's got going on? With him...it could be just about anything. Read and Review to find out! Feel free to guess what it is guys...I wanna see what you guys think.