Part XXIX

Alex huffed and tried to catch her breath. She has done a number of laps all across around the court and was trying to pace herself. Lifting her head up, her gaze locked towards her fiancé who was happily watching her.

She let out a wink earning some sort of giggle from Marissa.

"COME ON COHEN! PLAY NOW! LOVE LATER!" Jill shook her head watching her star player flirt on court.

"Sorry coach." Alex replied grinning from ear to ear.

"COME ON LADIES! I WANNA SEE SOME SWEAT!" Jill clapped her hands urging her players to make a run for it.

The players responded with a run. They moved in unison, impressing their head coach.

"Hey Marissa..."

Marissa turned to the owner of the voice and smiled.

"Hey!" Marissa stood up and gave Beth a hug.

"What time did you arrive?" Marissa asked letting the other woman seat next to her.

"Noon... How's our superstar?"

"Better than ever..." Marissa turned to gaze her fiancé who was burning rubber across the court.

"By the way, she has an appointment with a local cardiologist. I just want to make sure she's in shape before tomorrow. Here's the address." Beth handed a piece of paper to Marissa and they sat down.

There was a short period of silence. They just gazed at the players practice their plays. But of course, Marissa couldn't help her worries. Though, she did have problems, she knew her friends were having problems too.

"How are you?" She asked.

"I'm fine." Beth replied her gaze not leaving Alex's who was showing signs of slight fatigue.

"How is she?"

"I honestly don't want to know."

"Is that what your heart tells you? That you don't want to know?" Marissa asked taking her gaze to Alex who is slightly out of breath.

There was no answer. They both knew the reason.

"When I lost Alex, I kept asking myself, why didn't I give her the chance to tell me her side of the story? Why did it have to take me almost two years to realize she was honest, that she loved me unconditionally?"

"I can't…"

"I know… Right now… You must be confused… But… You have to know the real reason why… You love her… Don't you?"

There was no reply. But Marissa knew the response would have been a yes.

"At least have closure. Don't settle for the what-ifs. It hurts when you think about those." Marissa started to say turning to Beth who was sporting a serious look in her face.

"You have been working constantly, 24-7. You and I know she's the reason. You don't want to think about her. But you still do. Because she means so much to you…"

Beth's looked down on her shoes. She knew what Marissa said was true.

"At least find out the truth. Don't let yourself be hidden from it. You don't want it to be too late. I should know. I almost lost Alex." Marissa ended with a tone almost resembling a person whose heart just got through enormous pain.

"I'll think about it."

----

Jodie shifted her head on the pillows. She felt groggy, utterly weak. Then she felt her wife's warm hands touching hers, the other caressing her hair – tucking stray hairs. She turned to meet her wife's loving eyes. Smiling, she opened her mouth but was too weak to say a word.

"Hush darling. You need your rest. The doctor said you're ready for the procedure. The physical exam said you're healthy to carry the baby." Summer leaned down, capturing her wife's lips.

"I never thought I'd want this. But I am." Jodie tried to speak but it came out like a whisper.

"I know… You always said you're the MAN in this relationship."

"I should blame you for making me a softie. That day I first laid my eyes on you… You made me forget my name…" Jodie chuckled receiving a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm blessed to have you love. I thank God every damn day." Summer's eyes were threatening tears.

But she leaned in, claiming her spouse's lips once more.

----

Bianca had been staring at her pc for a while now. She had not gone out of her room since she came in the afternoon. Unknown to her parents, she lacked the appetite, the strength, and the will to actually do anything else but sit – silently think about her ex-lover.

She had to admit.

She wanted her so badly.

The hugs…

The kisses…

The love…

She wanted Beth more than anything else.

She took her phone, dialing her lover's home number. It was one of her routines now. Though she knew Beth would be in Utah with Alex, since the Sparks had a road game, she still called the number.

Hi this is Beth. I'm sorry I'm not home right now. Just leave a message after the beep.

She sighed as she cancelled the call. Afterwards, a smile crept on her face.

"I miss you…"

Dialing once more, she listened to the lone voice on the speaker. A tear escaped burning her cheek.

Hi this is Beth. I'm sorry I'm not home right now. Just leave a message after the beep.

"I love you…"

"Tired?" Marissa asked taking Alex's towel as the blonde pulled her shirt down.

"No." Alex replied sporting a huge grin.

"I talked to Beth by the way." Marissa changed the subject right away.

Flirting in front of her fiancé's team was not her style.

"Oh. Everything ok?" Alex replied her grin wiped out, replaced by a concerned face.

"Yeah. But you should talk to Bianca. She shouldn't have led her on if she was intending to hurt the poor girl."

"I already did…" Alex looked at her fiancé then sat beside her.

"Did you talk to them yet?" The blonde asked but Marissa was unmoving.

"You could have at least talked to Kaitlin. She might be worried sick…" The blonde added but Marissa wasn't going to reply.

Defeated, Alex stood up and took her gym bag. Extending her hand, she tried hard to let out a smile. Maybe it wasn't time yet. Marissa wasn't ready to talk. They could discuss it some other time.

"What would you like? French or Italian?" The blonde gave out her sweetest smiles.

And it didn't go unreturned.

"Italian. I know you love pasta." Marissa beamed taking Alex's hand.

Life was a little better when you have someone to share it with.

Especially if it's the right one.